Not long ago, I posted about a new scientific survey, involving data on the eating habits of millions of people, which made all the newspapers and talk shows. It said scientists had discovered that there was no danger in eating Red Meat after all, in spite of thousands of other studies to the contrary…
Rede Meat: To eat or not to eat? Don’t believe everything you read…
The study in question failed to find any convincing association between Red Meat consumption and early death from cancer, heart disease or diabetes – three of the greatest scourges of humankind on the loose today.
An abstract of the study methods and findings states: “In one review of 12 trials with 54,000 people, the researchers did not find statistically significant or an important association between Meat consumption and the risk of heart disease, diabetes or cancer. […] In three systematic reviews of cohort studies following millions of people, a very small reduction in risk among those who had three fewer servings of Red or Processed Meat a week [than average], but the association was uncertain.”
Great news for Red Meat fans, I guess. But… I actually experienced an involuntary a hackles-raising response when I read the language in the abstract that, “[…] most adults should continue to eat their current levels of Red and Processed Meat.” – As if suggesting there are not only no negative consequences to eating the stuff, but perhaps even benefits from doing so. (Italics mine.)
Now, just days later, a study saying just the opposite
A clinical study from the University of Nottingham in the UK has just come out doubling down on the position that Red Meat is bad for us.
Researchers wanted to find out if reducing the amount of Red Meat eaten, rather than cutting it out completely, would have a positive effect on the health of the subjects taking part.
Study Lead Author Dr. Andrew Salter says: “With a high saturated fatty acid content, red and processed meat has been linked to heart disease, and other chronic diseases, particularly colon cancer. Studies have shown that in people who eat the most meat, there is a 40% increased risk of them dying due to heart disease. The results of the present study showed that, even in relatively young and healthy individuals, making relatively small changes to RPM intake induced significant changes in LDL cholesterol which, if maintained over a period of time could potentially reduce the risk of developing heart disease.”
Huh?
But wait… Didn’t I also post, some time back, that other scientists had determined that the amount of bad cholesterol we consume in foods has no direct connection to the level of bad cholesterol in our blood (serum cholesterol)? And what about all the other headlines dating back to the start of this year?
A sampling:
Heart Health: No Difference Between Red And White Meats
Eggs, Red Meat Back In Dietary Bad Books?
Red Meat Now Okay On The Med Diet!
‘Early Death’ Risk Associated With Everything ‘Animal’
Just proves what the skeptics have been saying…
My dad was a lifelong skeptic. I always thought it was because he grew yup during the Great Depression and learned not to trusty anything anyone in authority said about anything – especially lawyers, doctors and politicians.
I’d read something to him from the newspaper, and he’d say, “Don’t believe it. Those so-called experts are all the same. If you look long enough, you can find evidence to prove anything you want to prove. And their jobs are on the line. So, they’ll just keep looking, rather than admit they’re wrong.” Did I say skeptic? ‘Cynic’ may have been more accurate. But I know that I’m more apt to believe study reports that make sense to me, and adhere to the tenets of common sense.
Oh, look…
Dr. Obvious just stuck a gold star on my forehead!
~ Maggie J.