Is Red Meat Actually Bad For You?

For those who love red meat, the heavenly taste of the food never fails to assuage their appetite. But many studies have highlighted the risks of eating processed red meat time and again. Despite its controversy, the food that comes from mammals made its way out to our stomachs throughout human evolution. So whether you’re thinking of cutting it out or just cutting back for a while, it’s important to understand the good and bad effects of it on our health. Beyond the ethical and environmental aspects, this article will dig deep to help you comprehend whether red and processed meats are bad for you.

Red Meat: Processed vs. Unprocessed

Red meat in our present commercially-driven world mainly comes in the form of processed meat. Back in the days, cattle were free to roam and eat natural foods like grass, various kinds of plants, insects. So, the meats from them were completely natural, free from all harmful synthetic chemicals. But now, red meats go through many artificial processes. This includes smoking, curing, salting for preservation, and packaging purposes.

The animals feed on artificial grain-based foods to develop extra mass instead of grass. So it’s better to avoid factory-based packaged meats. Instead, you could opt for organic or unprocessed red meats from natural grass-fed animals for better nutritional supplements. Pork tenderloin, sirloin steaks are examples of unprocessed meat.

Not Just Delicious, It’s Nutritious Too

When it comes to nutritional values, red meat contains some of the essential ones. Red meat is an excellent source of protein, which is important to develop our overall body muscle. The calorie count of red meat is 176 that comes with highly essential nutrients such as carnosine and creatine. High in animal protein and vitamin B-12, red meat strengthens our bones and generates new red blood cells.

The iron is easily absorbable that activates our enzymes for better digestion. Other nutrients like minerals and antioxidants are crucial for brain cell development and healthy skin. If you’re into organic red meat, you will get some healthy fatty acids, omega-3s, and Vitamin A for a healthy heart. And that’s one reason most people cannot get enough of it!

Don’t Overlook Its Saturated Fats

According to several different studies, red meat is one of the biggest saturated fats sources than any other meat. Undoubtedly, saturated fats are the key to cardiovascular diseases. Regular consumption of processed red meats can expose people to a higher risk of heart-related diseases.

This is due to the increased cholesterol levels that block the heart’s arteries and boost cardiac arrest chances. Hence, experts suggest reducing the consumption of processed red meat for a healthy and long-lasting heart. If you crave it, go for the organic, unprocessed meats.

It Does Increase The Chances Of Cancer

Research suggests that your risk of having colorectal cancer is high if you consume red meat often. Although it’s generally diagnosed with cancer, the mortality rate is pretty high. With processed meat, the chances are even higher. During the factory processing, the meats go through a lot of artificial colors and chemicals that are harmful to our bodies.

The daily dose of red meats may also cause prostate cancer and pancreatitis. Even though unprocessed meats are safe in this case, they can’t drag down the probability of getting adverse health effects to zero.

Don’t Overlook The Negatives

Despite the essential nutritional values, various studies have shown the negative effects that are evident as well. Although different staggering factors plague the trials, red meat’s harmful characteristics are something health experts often talk about.

Saturated fats and cholesterol are some of the key factors of getting cancer. People who are having piles or hemorrhoids can’t opt for red meats despite their essential nutrients. However, remember that processed meat is more dangerous than unprocessed ones.

It’s not easy to give up red meat. Therefore, you can opt for unprocessed meat for a healthier lifestyle than sticking to processed meats. The cost might indeed get higher, but nothing’s more expensive than our lives and well-being. So, make sure you invest in a healthy diet and not just a tasty one! If you are unsure about substituting red meat with other foods, talking to your dietician could come in handy!