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Mar 23, 2009 06:15 PM | 10
Is that extra bite of red meat really going to kill you? If it's your fourth ounce in a day, it might.
People who eat the most red meat daily (about four ounces) are about a third more likely to die over a given decade than those who eat the least (about 19 grams), according to new research set to be published tomorrow in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Conversely, those who eat the most white meat have an 8 percent lower risk of dying compared with people who eat the least.
The findings are based on the eating habits of half a million men and women who were followed for 10 years by scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The researchers did not calculate the absolute risk of dying based on a red-meat vs. white-meat diet, co-author Rashmi Sinha, a senior investigator there, tells ScientificAmerican.com. But she writes that if everyone lowered his or her red meat intake to 19 grams a day or less, 11 percent fewer men and 16 percent fewer women would die.
It's unknown why white meat may protect against death, and the relationship between red meat and dying isn’t entirely clear, Sinha says. But she notes that cooking red meat at high temperatures forms carcinogens including heterocyclic amines (chemicals that form when amino acids and creatine, a compound important to muscle energy, react) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (chemicals formed during grilling). In addition, Sinha says, iron in the meat may increase cell damage and the creation of N-nitroso compounds, which form from reactions with other chemicals and may be associated with cancer. Red meat also contains saturated fat, which has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and cancer of the breast and colon.
Updated at 9:55 a.m. March 24 to clarify that increased risk of death is over a 10-year period.
Image of steak © iStockphoto/David Smith
Tags:
nutrition,
red meat,
diet,
white meat
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10 Comments
Add CommentYou've got to be kidding me. 100% of each and every man and woman is going to die whether eating burgers or bulgar. Perhaps in a age/diet controlled study a higher percentage of red-eaters will die within a certain time frame than white-eaters from a specific list of causes. Cardiovascular disease or cancer, for instance. But, for instance, in a starving population, feeding meat to people will lower death rate from starvation dramatically. But 100% will still die. Eventually.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWasn't this blog proof-read for making sense?
Is it the meat that kills one, or all the additives -- hormones, antibiotics, fertilizers and pesticides in the feed -- as well as all the downed cows (until the USDA just disallowed it) and other ill animals?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSee: The China Study by T. Colin Campbell (biochemist Cornell University)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAnimal protein fuels cancer growth like wood fuels fire. It is not living longer so much that matters...but feeling like hiking and playing with your grandkids when you are in your 70's instead of having cancer or heart disease.
I couldn't agree more with CcGg. This is an unfortunately worded article that over-dramatizes the facts from any possible serious scientific study. I suspect that the author is going for that wow factor that separates sci am from serious scientific reporting. I suggest a more rigorous and sober editing process.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCheers.
I am so glad to know that if I stop eating red meat I will not die! It's amazing that just this dietary change alone will grant me immortality. Of course, I still don't think it's enough to stop me from enjoying a juicy steak.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSpeaking of "making sense," maybe if you stop and think for a second, it will:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDeadly" is used here as in "smoking can be deadly," or "driving intoxicated can be deadly." And yes, we are all aware that 100% of us will die, but nevertheless, most prefer that they live a long, healthy life.
The article can certainly explain the methodology better, but if you are not aware that a lot of red meat is not good for your health, then the fumes from the barbie have gotten to you.
From my perspective, fresh fruits would be the best prevention & insurance of all.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have given up believing in such studies. I'll just wait another 6 months until another study comes out, that proclaims "eating red meat increases life expectancy by 10%" or something. Author bias plays a huge factor in such studies.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this@ultrarunner1: do you know that your entire body is made up of animal proteins (whether you eat them or not)? According to your comment, you are doomed.
Interesting. Maybe now people will not find it such a big deal when I say that I stopped eating red meat in 1974 because it wasn't good for the human body.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf you really want to eat super-healthy food, the best way is not to cook it! Eating raw 100% vegan food has not only helped me to lose pounds it has also given me more energy and not to mention has lowered my cholesterol significantly too. Check out this website, http://kevkev227.kristenraw.hop.clickbank.net/ A friend recommended I give it a try and I can't tell you what a difference it has meant for me. I learned all about the best raw food recipes and I can truly say that the food is delicious and it feels so much better to be healthy!
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