Heart disease: Red meat has links to heart condition says study
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Research shows that high consumption of red and processed meat can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. This type of disease can’t be cured and can lead to heart attacks and strokes, which can be fatal.
To prevent heart disease, changing your diet and lowering your red meat intake may be beneficial, as research shows a link between this type of meat and heart health.
Studies from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Population Health examined dietary assessments of over 1.4million people for up to 30 years.
The researchers found that each 50g a day higher intake of processed meat increased the risk of heart disease by 18 percent.
Processed meat is any meat that has been smoked, salted, cured, dried or canned, including British favourites like bacon, ham and sausages.
The study also found compelling evidence for reducing red meat intake, with each 50g a day of red meat increasing the risk of heart disease by nine percent.
Red meat describes beef, lamb and pork.
The only type of meat without a clear link to heart disease was poultry.
The reason behind these findings may be the high content of saturated fat and salt in red meat, according to the University of Oxford.
Eating big amounts of saturated fat can increase your “bad cholesterol” levels.
And a diet high in salt can raise your blood pressure levels.
The NHS classes both “bad cholesterol” and high blood pressure as risk factors for developing heart disease and problems with arteries.
There’s also a higher risk of bowel cancer connected to eating “even moderate amounts of red and processed meat”, according to another Oxford study.
Currently, the British Heart Foundation reports that one in four in the UK die from heart and circulatory diseases.
However, based on the Oxford studies, heart health may be improved by reducing red and processed meat intake.
The National Food Strategy, based on a review of the whole food system in the UK, also recommended meat consumption to fall by 30 percent over the next 10 years.
As of now, Brits could be on the way to meet this target, with meat consumption falling by 17 percent in the last decade.
Another reason to eat a plant-heavy diet is research showing a link between a plant-based diet and a lower risk of premature death, as reported by Healthline.
Making sure your diet includes foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and beans might promote longevity.
More research shows that nutrients and antioxidants in plant foods could also reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, according to the health forum.
Eating more plant foods could be likely to benefit health and boost longevity.
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