Linda Gardner's Blog: New Meta-Analysis: Meat Intake Does NOT Appear to Increase Risk of Heart Disease

Humans have been eating meat for millions of years, and so we should be well adapted to it. Nevertheless, some people still believe the somewhat absurd theory that eating meat can produce diseases like heart disease.

The flimsy scientific support for this idea is mostly based on selected observational studies (i.e. statistics), that are unable to prove cause and effect. And even these weak studies are highly conflicting. For example it’s been shown that – adding all studies together – people in Asia who eat more meat get significantly less heart disease, a finding clearly incompatible with the theory.

Now the first, to my knowledge, meta-analysis of higher-quality studies (RCTs) has been published. It finds zero evidence for any negative effects of meat on risk factors for heart disease, including cholesterol.

AJCN: Total Red Meat Intake of ≥0.5 Servings/d Does not Negatively Influence Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: A Systemically Searched Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

I’m not surprised. Still, this should kill the bizarre idea that humans could get sick from eating real food like meat.

Brink on the juicy steaks. Especially from grass-fed animals, to make the meat good for the climate too.