Contrary to popular belief, white meat increases blood cholesterol levels as much as red meat.
Studies on the dangers of red meat have been accumulated for many years, but those carried out on the effects of white meat are on the other hand few in number. Californian researchers have remedied this scientific void by comparing the impact of diets rich in red meat, white meat or vegetarian on cholesterol levels. Their results, published in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutritionshow that white meat increases blood cholesterol levels, at least as much as red meat.
White meat is just as bad for you #cholesterol as red meat, @UCSFBenioffOAK researchers were surprised to find. Limiting meat and turning to vegetables, dairy and vegetables for protein shows the best cholesterol benefit, Dr. Ronald Krauss says. https://t.co/6109frNPmb pic.twitter.com/7a327esuIQ
— UCSF Medical Center (@UCSFHospitals) June 4, 2019
113 people were recruited for this research. The researchers first divided them into two groups: those whose consumption of saturated fatty acids was high and those for whom it was low. In each of them, the research team created three subgroups.
The first had to consume red meat during the 4 weeks of the study, the second white meat and the third vegetable proteins. At the end of this period, the researchers measured various data: the level of LDL cholesterol, often called “bad cholesterol”, the level of apolipoprotein E, the presence of LDL particles, and HDL cholesterol, called “good cholesterol”.
Researchers surprised by results
“When we started this study, says Ronald Krauss the director of research, we thought that red meat would have more negative effects on the level of cholesterol in the blood than white meat”. The results surprised the team: Eating meat, whether white or red, raises blood cholesterol levels, compared to people on a plant-based protein diet. This finding is valid regardless of the level of saturated fatty acids.
Cholesterol is essential for the body
Cholesterol is naturally present in the body where it participates in the production of cell membranes and certain hormones. It becomes harmful when it is present in too large a quantity or when it is of poor quality. In these cases, it significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. LDL cholesterol is considered harmful because it promotes the appearance of deposits on the walls of the arteries, called atherosclerosis. This increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Conversely, HDL cholesterol has a protective effect for the heart.
.
