Take the Latest Red Meat “Guidelines” With a Huge Grain of Salt
A new study clashes with previous research on the negative health effects of red meat
Health experts are roundly criticizing controversial new research and health advice suggesting people who eat red meat and processed meat should continue to do so, calling the research “flawed” and saying the recommendations are “irresponsible” and “dangerous” and “should be ignored.”
Both red meat and processed meat (such as bacon, lunch meats, and salami) have long been associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and certain cancers. Health experts for years have advised limiting consumption of red meat to no more than a few servings weekly (preferably lean cuts) and reducing or eliminating all processed meats.
The newly published advice stems from five separate new reviews of existing studies, done by an international team of researchers. The reviews found that lowering red meat consumption reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. But the researchers conclude that the risk reduction was “very small and the certainty of the evidence was low or very low.”
“These flawed analyses and recommendations will likely cause a great deal of confusion in…
