Does eating meat give you cancer? There has been another study released this week that apparently shows that eating red meat leads to cancer. So is it true? Well in my opinion, no - and here's why. This study compared Americans who ate the most red meat to those who ate a vegetarian diet and found that the meat eaters had a significantly higher mortality rate over the course of the study. There are several factors that were not taken into account in this study that can explain the results without the need to remove red meat from your diet.
- The cooking methods. One of the biggest problems with red meat, especially when it is cooked on the barbeque, is overcooking. When overcooked, cancer forming chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HAs) can be formed, leading to the increased mortality risk. These can be avoided by cooking your meat slowly and evenly, and not overcooking.
- The quality of the meat. This study hasn't taken into account the quality of meat being eaten. No doubt the majority of the meat eaten in these studies is poor-quality barbeque meats marinated in god knows what. It is grain-fed meat, full of fat, with poor ratios of good-to-bad fats. Eating quality red meats that are grass-fed, free range and organic would significantly improve your outcomes vs. this study.
- The processing of the meat. This study also included processed meats such as salamis and hams. These meats are usually low quality meats, full of fat and also choc full of processing chemicals, leading to a far less healthy product.
- A balanced diet. The final point is the balance of the diet. Consider those Americans in the group with the highest red meat intake - you can just imagine what the rest of their diet is like. I have no doubt that they are not eating enough vegetables, that they are eating too many processed carbs and sugars, and most likely they are eating large quantities - and too much alcohol too. Whilst some of this may also be true for the vegetarian group, they are much more likely to be keeping the rest of their diet in check.
So if you are a red meat lover like me and want to continue eating it, please do. But do it in a healthy way. Slow cook unprocessed, grass-fed, free range organic meats (the easiest one to find is kangaroo) and make it a part of a balanced diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, white meat and fish and clean fresh water. That way you can still enjoy your red meat without the cancer risk.
Do you think meat is healthy?
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