Conflicting Studies Point to Meat Moderation as Health Diet
2020-02-05
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1A new study on people who eat red meat has found they have higher risks of heart disease and early death.
2The finding goes against other recent research that suggested removing meat from one's diet has few health benefits.
3The two opposing findings can make it "difficult for people to make sense of what can seem to be conflicting messages on food," noted Duane Mellor.
4He is a dietician at Aston University in England.
5Mellor was not directly involved with either study.
6But he and other researchers say that after examining research on the subject, moderation may be the best way forward.
7"In this case, eating moderate amounts of meat, including red meat, is likely to be safe," Mellor said.
8He noted the cost of producing meat on the environment as well as the health effects of eating meat.
9"However, in the interest of sustainability as well as health, reducing meat intake... to the recommended less than 70 grams per day would be sensible."
10A researcher with ties to the meat industry published a report on the subject in September 2019.
11That report said people should not reduce the amount of red meat they eat.
12Some experts criticized the findings because they were in conflict with dietary advice from international agencies.
13The latest research comes from scientists at Cornell University and Northwestern University in the United States.
14Their findings appeared on Monday in the publication JAMA Internal Medicine.
15The scientists found that eating two servings a week of red meat, processed meat or poultry was linked to a 3% to 7% higher risk of heart disease.
16They also reported that eating two servings a week of red meat or processed meat - but not poultry or fish - was linked to a 3% higher risk of all causes of death.
17Norrina Allen was a co-leader of the latest study.
18She said the health risk is small but people should try to change their diet.
19"It's a small difference, but it's worth trying to reduce red meat and processed meat."
20She added that eating red meat is also regularly "linked to other health problems like cancer."
21Allen is an associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern.
22The World Cancer Research Fund says red and processed meat may cause cancer.
23It advises eating only moderate amounts of red meat with an upper limit of 500 grams cooked weight per week - and "little, if any" processed meat.
24A group of experts writing in The Lancet in January suggested an "ideal diet" for human health and the planet.
25They said on average, adults should reduce the amount of meat they eat by 50% and they should eat twice as much nuts, fruits, vegetables and beans.
26I'm Jill Robbins.
1A new study on people who eat red meat has found they have higher risks of heart disease and early death. The finding goes against other recent research that suggested removing meat from one's diet has few health benefits. 2The two opposing findings can make it "difficult for people to make sense of what can seem to be conflicting messages on food," noted Duane Mellor. He is a dietician at Aston University in England. 3Mellor was not directly involved with either study. But he and other researchers say that after examining research on the subject, moderation may be the best way forward. 4"In this case, eating moderate amounts of meat, including red meat, is likely to be safe," Mellor said. 5He noted the cost of producing meat on the environment as well as the health effects of eating meat. 6"However, in the interest of sustainability as well as health, reducing meat intake... to the recommended less than 70 grams per day would be sensible." 7A researcher with ties to the meat industry published a report on the subject in September 2019. That report said people should not reduce the amount of red meat they eat. Some experts criticized the findings because they were in conflict with dietary advice from international agencies. 8The latest research comes from scientists at Cornell University and Northwestern University in the United States. Their findings appeared on Monday in the publication JAMA Internal Medicine. 9The scientists found that eating two servings a week of red meat, processed meat or poultry was linked to a 3% to 7% higher risk of heart disease. They also reported that eating two servings a week of red meat or processed meat - but not poultry or fish - was linked to a 3% higher risk of all causes of death. 10Norrina Allen was a co-leader of the latest study. She said the health risk is small but people should try to change their diet. 11"It's a small difference, but it's worth trying to reduce red meat and processed meat." She added that eating red meat is also regularly "linked to other health problems like cancer." 12Allen is an associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern. 13The World Cancer Research Fund says red and processed meat may cause cancer. It advises eating only moderate amounts of red meat with an upper limit of 500 grams cooked weight per week - and "little, if any" processed meat. 14A group of experts writing in The Lancet in January suggested an "ideal diet" for human health and the planet. They said on average, adults should reduce the amount of meat they eat by 50% and they should eat twice as much nuts, fruits, vegetables and beans. 15I'm Jill Robbins. 16Kate Kelland reported on this story for Reuters. Jill Robbins adapted her report for VOA Learning English. The editor was George Grow. 17________________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19benefit - n. a profit or payment gained from something 20sustainable - n. involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources 21recommend - v. to suggest that someone do (something) 22processed meat - n. meat that has been treated through salting, smoking or other processes to improve its taste or keep the meat safe from disease 23poultry - n. chickens, turkeys, ducks or other birds grown on a farm 24nut - n. a fruit with a hard shell around it 25What do you think of the idea of eating less meat? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.