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A new report released Monday claims the science is clear: Eating too much meat is bad for your health.
The so-called Meat Eater's Guide, compiled by the Environmental Working Group, is generating buzz for its "cradle-to-grave" look at the environmental impact of 20 popular types of meat, dairy and vegetable proteins. But it also emphasizes the potential health impact of eating too much meat, recommending that people cut back to decrease their risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
"The goal is to really make this information accessible to consumers," said Kari Hamerschlag, an agriculture analyst with the research and advocacy group. "On the health side, we really pulled together all of the information and tried to make it as clear as possible that there's not just one reason to limit meat consumption; there are a whole host of reasons."
The report, which weaves together statistics from various earlier studies, allows that meat can be an important source of protein and vitamins when eaten in moderation. But in the U.S., moderation may be a problem. The report cites data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization suggesting that Americans consume almost 60 percent more meat than their European counterparts, and four times more than in many developing countries. And much of that meat is either red or processed.
The health effects of this, the EWG report claims, are myriad: A 2009 report from the National Cancer Institute found that people who ate the most red meat -- which can have high levels of cholesterol-rising saturated fat -- were 27 percent more likely to die of heart disease. That same report also found serious meat eaters were 20 percent more likely to die of cancer than those who consumed the least amount of meat.
23 hours ago (2:36 PM)
I have a report that says Death Causes Death. So there!
12:47 PM on 7/18/2011
Brilliant.
12:32 PM on 7/18/2011
Report says Living Causes Death.
12:37 PM on 7/18/2011
Oddly enough, untreated, it probably is
12:36 PM on 7/18/2011
Primarily dangerous for those who can’t swim I guess?
12:33 PM on 7/18/2011
Meat? Where is the investigative reporting on the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide? It is the most destructive chemical known. Waiting for the article.
12:34 PM on 7/18/2011
This has been known for a long time, it’s just that it tastes so damn good. I mean sometimes a salad is wonderful and sometimes a falafel sandwich is great but sometimes I crave animal protein.
18 hours ago (7:29 PM)
I raise my own lamb and buy grass fed beef from friends. Who raises the greens you eat?
22 hours ago (3:45 PM)
So true!
24 hours ago (1:37 PM)
Meat production has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. You should look into it.
If we were still raising meet and farming the way they did in your mother’s and grandmother’s time, you would no doubt be fine, since your body is likely genetically well able to handle the cholesterol load (many people can’t). But there are other issues now that didn’t exist then. Unless you buy organic, you may have a lot to worry about.
12:49 PM on 7/18/2011
The research is at the population level, not that your family’s triumph is not impressive.
And the sprout were contaminated with E-coli (most likely from meat) and doesn’t mean that its consumers were vegan.
18 hours ago (7:25 PM)
My lungs were not made for cigarette smoke but my teeth were designed to eat meat and the bones in caves going back thousands of years shows man has always eaten meat. You want to graze like my sheep more power to you and more red meat for me. I raise my own lamb and its mighty good eating.
24 hours ago (1:27 PM)
Comparing smoking to eating meat is scare-tactic nonsense. Humanity evolved eating meat; our physiology is geared to it, not to grains, sugar, vegetable oils and other carbs. Saturated fats, and even the cholesterol, may not be the boogerbears they were once thought to be. Medical science is a human institution, not pure abstract information, and reflects all our human political and social frailties:
Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/11/lies-damned-lies-and-medical-science/8269/
12:48 PM on 7/18/2011
That’s like saying I have a 98-year-old great uncle who smokes two packs a day and is the healthiest person I know.
That may be true (imagine what his health would be like if he didn’t smoke), but a single point of data does not paint a picture.
Science looks at the aggregate. This is one of many studies that have all shown that those who consume a lot of meat are less healthy than those who consume the least.
Feel free to live your life how you will, but don’t pretend that your brother singlehandedly disproves the validity of the theory behind these observations.
18 hours ago (7:27 PM)
Exactly look to history and see that meat has always been in mankind’s diet. Eat lean red meat and you will thrive.
12:47 PM on 7/18/2011
Anecdotal evidence is never a good foundation for informed opinions.
24 hours ago (1:27 PM)
and ma’am, are completely correct.
12:45 PM on 7/18/2011
My grandparents lived way into their 90s and ate pork every day. The difference now is people are not getting quality meats. My grandfather use to buy a half cow directly from a farmer who grass fed his animals and have it cut up, packaged and frozen to last a good portion of the year. We never ate meats from a store. That’s where I believe the difference is today.
12:34 PM on 7/18/2011
My family all seem to live into their 90s and thrive on meat. My Brother runs marathons and is very fit. He loves steak. On the other hand those eating sprouts seem to be getting sick all over the world. I think I will stick with my family on this one.
24 hours ago (1:35 PM)
SOme of that obesity isn’t just about overeating — the amount of endocrine disruptors in our food and water supply, especially but not limited to meat production– have had a huge impact on hormonal regulation, and that has a huge impact on how the body handles blood sugar and produces fat, as well as creating fertility issues and depression/fatigue issues and disrupting sex hormone regulation. We need to wake up to this problem. The sheer cost of it alone is astronomical.
01:09 PM on 7/18/2011
"Isn’t 60% of the US obese"
I have a problem with that figure because it seems as if they are always changing the definition.
But 60% overweight? Apparently so.
12:48 PM on 7/18/2011
Excellent point and we are a culture of excess when it comes to food F&F
12:34 PM on 7/18/2011
"The report cites data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization suggesting that Americans consume almost 60 percent more meat than their European counterparts, and four times more than in many developing countries. And much of that meat is either red or processed."
How is this a surprise? Isn’t 60% of the US obese?
12:42 PM on 7/18/2011
I don’t believe the quantity hurts as much as the quality does.
12:35 PM on 7/18/2011
and there will always be the exceptions to this (flimsy) rule as well. There are people who’s cholesterol is perfectly within acceptable range (well under 200) who eat meat whenever they feel like it. After all, what is "too much" meat? Twice a week (for dinner)? 5 times a week? 24/7?
This is yet another article to promote more fear mongering among Americans ….
01:12 PM on 7/18/2011
A mis-steak.
12:37 PM on 7/18/2011
You see. All this time you thought your boss was just being stingy not giving you a raise, and in reality he/she was just trying to prevent you from a steak OD.
12:37 PM on 7/18/2011
Thats why we cook our food. duh!!
01:09 PM on 7/18/2011
I just took a second look at what you meant and yes I get your drift. Very, what would you call it, subliminally seductive.
12:38 PM on 7/18/2011
Of all the photos to choose from to illustrate meat… What an interesting one to choose… I hope the meat enjoyed it.