Red meat lovers, listen up! Red meat is worse for the heart than previously thought

New Delhi: The love for red meat seems to always take over the many health risks that this food comes with. Little do people realise how going on a binge of bacon, beef, pork, and even steak could cause long-term damage to health, and that too in various ways. And according to a new study published in the American Heart Association’s journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, the popular food can cause serious damage to health and is deadlier than previously thought.

The new study suggests that eating red meat can increase the risk of heart diseases. People should be well aware of the amount of red meat they eat but should be further sure if they have comorbidities or are prone to cardiovascular conditions.

What are the worst foods for the heart?

For this study, researchers measured the levels of metabolites – a substance used when the body breaks, foods, drugs, or chemicals – in blood samples. Other factors evaluated were blood pressure, cholesterol, inflammation, and blood sugar levels to ascertain heart disease risks.

The study also used data from previous health studies and compared the risk of CVDs in people eating various levels of red meat, fish, eggs, chicken, and processed meats. The final results indicated that eating more red meat can raise the odds of atherosclerotic CVD – 22 per cent higher risk in a single serving per day. About one-tenth of the risk was attributed to increased levels of a metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in the blood – a chemical produced by the gut to digest red meat.

Experts also noticed that high blood sugar levels and inflammation may also spike heart disease risk which is also a consequence of excess red meat intake. Only factors not associated were blood pressure and cholesterol. This study further explains why one must cut down on red meat intake and make it an occasional treat rather than a daily staple.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.