Contrary to the recommendations of international health institutions, eating red meat is not bad for your health. This is revealed by a series of methodical analyzes carried out by researchers from seven countries. Other experts argue against the conclusions of this work.
Our food is the subject of a new controversy. While international health authorities recommend limiting consumption of red meat – such as International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)who the qualified “probably carcinogenic to humans” in 2015 and World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) Who evoked the “likely” risk of red meat on colorectal cancer in 2018 – a new study could change that.
14 researchers from seven countries – some of whom are from Canadian universities in McMaster and Dalhousie – ensure that reducing your consumption of red meat and processed meat actually has a small impact on your health.
Methodical analyzes based on data from millions of people
To reach this conclusion, the scientists performed four methodical reviews of randomized controlled trials and observational studies focusing on the impact of red meat and processed meat consumption on cardiometabolic risks and the odds to develop cancer.
The researchers first analyzed twelve trials involving 54,000 people, in which they found no statistical significance or major link between red meat consumption and the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes or cancer. Then, in three methodical analyzes of cohort studies based on data from millions of people, scientists found only a very small decrease in risk in individuals consuming three fewer servings of red or processed meat per week. An association described as “uncertain”.
Three to four weekly servings of red meat
Based on this research, scientists have written a series of recommendations published on 1er october in the american magazine Annals of Internal Medicine : Adults are advised to continue their current red meat intake of three to four servings per week in North America and Europe. The same is true for the consumption of processed meat.
“Our recommendations are certainly controversial, but they are based on the most comprehensive analysis of the evidence available to us to date,” the editorial reads. struggling to find adequate evidence to build their argument”.
The World Cancer Research Fund disagrees
However, criticism is already rising among experts in nutrition and epidemiology. For example, in the person of its research director, the Word Cancer Research Fund affirmed that it was not going back on its instructions. “We maintain our confidence in the rigorous research conducted for 30 years”, declared Giota Mitrou.
“This is not just another study on red meat and processed meat, but a series of high-quality, methodical analyses, resulting in recommendations that we find much more transparent, solid and reliable”, defends Bradley Johnston, associate professor at Dalhousie University and part-time associate professor at McMaster University, in a article published on the latter’s website.
“The best information available”
“There is a worldwide interest in nutrition and the issue of red meat in particular, adds Gordon Guyatt, a professor at McMaster University who also participated in the work. People need to be able to make decisions about their diet based on the best available information”.
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