Unprocessed Red Meat Consumption Research Articles

Estimated effects of reductions in processed meat consumption and unprocessed red meat consumption on occurrences of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and mortality in the USA: a microsimulation study

High consumption of processed meat and unprocessed red meat is associated with increased risk of multiple chronic diseases, although there is substantial uncertainty regarding the relationship for unprocessed red meat. We developed a microsimulation model to estimate how reductions in processed meat and unprocessed red meat consumption could affect rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and mortality in the US adult population. We used data from two versions of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, one conducted during 2015-16 and one conducted during 2017-18, to create a simulated US population. The starting cohort was restricted to respondents aged 18 years or older who were not pregnant and had 2 days of dietary-recall data. First, we used previously developed risk models to estimate the baseline disease risk of an individual. For type 2 diabetes we used a logistic-regression model and for cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer we used Cox proportional-hazard models. We then multiplied baseline risk by relative risk associated with individual processed meat and unprocessed red meat consumption. Prevented occurrences of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and mortality were computed by taking the difference between the incidence in the baseline and intervention scenarios. All stages were repeated for ten iterations to correspond to a 10-year time span. Scenarios were reductions of 5%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 75%, and 100% in grams consumed of processed meat, unprocessed red meat, or both. Each scenario was repeated 50 times for uncertainty analysis. The total number of individual respondents included in the simulated population was 8665, representing 242 021 876 US adults. 4493 (51·9%) of 8665 individuals were female and 4172 (48·1%) were male; mean age was 49·54 years (SD 18·38). At baseline, weighted mean daily consumption of processed meat was 29·1 g, with a 30% reduction being 8·7 g per day, and of unprocessed red meat was 46·7 g, with a 30% reduction being 14·0 g per day. We estimated that a 30% reduction in processed meat intake alone could lead to 352 900 (95% uncertainty interval 345 500-359 900) fewer occurrences of type 2 diabetes, 92 500 (85 600-99 900) fewer occurrences of cardiovascular disease, 53 300 (51 400-55 000) fewer occurrences of colorectal cancer, and 16 700 (15 300-17 700) fewer all-cause deaths during the 10-year period. A 30% reduction in unprocessed red meat intake alone could lead to 732 600 (725 700-740 400) fewer occurrences of type 2 diabetes, 291 500 (283 900-298 800) fewer occurrences of cardiovascular disease, 32 200 (31 500-32 700) fewer occurrences of colorectal cancer, and 46 100 (45 300-47 200) fewer all-cause deaths during the 10-year period. A 30% reduction in both processed meat and unprocessed red meat intake could lead to 1 073 400 (1 060 100-1 084 700) fewer occurrences of type 2 diabetes, 382 400 (372 100-391 000) fewer occurrences of cardiovascular disease, 84 400 (82 100-86 200) fewer occurrences of colorectal cancer, and 62 200 (60 600-64 400) fewer all-cause deaths during the 10-year period. Reductions in processed meat consumption could reduce the burden of some chronic diseases in the USA. However, more research is needed to increase certainty in the estimated effects of reducing unprocessed red meat consumption. The Wellcome Trust.

Association between processed and unprocessed red meat consumption and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

The nature of the relationship between red meat consumption and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear. Through this meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the association and dose-response relationship between red meat consumption (both processed and unprocessed) and the risk of NAFLD. We systematically searched CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus from inception to February 2022 for observational studies in which the exposure of interest was red meat consumption; the outcome of interest was the risk of NAFLD; and where odds ratios (ORs) or risk ratios were provided or could be calculated. We used random-effects meta-analyses to pool the effect sizes and performed analyses to estimate the linearity of the dose-response relationships between red meat intake and NAFLD risk. We included 10 studies in this review. The meta-analysis showed a significant association between the intake of red meat (OR = 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-1.50, P = 0.000, I2 = 81%), processed red meat (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.04-1.3, P = 0.162, I2 = 34.9%) or unprocessed red meat (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.05-1.55, P = 0.001, I2 = 76.2%) and the risk of NAFLD. We also found a significant linear dose-response association between processed red meat intake and NAFLD, with each 25-g increment of processed red meat intake per day was associated with an 11.1% higher risk of NAFLD (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.01-1.22, P = 0.029), and a nonlinear association between unprocessed meat intake and NAFLD (P = 0.003 for nonlinearity). Our findings indicate a potential positive association between red meat consumption (both processed and unprocessed) and NAFLD risk, especially in relation to increased intake of processed red meat compared to unprocessed red meat. However, caution is advised in interpreting these results; further research could establish a clearer understanding of the relationship between red meat consumption and NAFLD risk. PROSPERO: CRD42022332839.

Human Health Impact Based on Adult European Consumers’ Dietary Exposure to Chemical Contaminants and Consumption of Unprocessed Red Meat, Processed Meat, and Legumes

AbstractIn this study we assessed the human health impact based on dietary trends for adult consumers in Europe. The risk of ten illnesses was estimated based on dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, aflatoxin B1, and pesticides and consumption of unprocessed red meat, processed meat, and legumes (reference scenario (RS)) and a simulated alternative scenario of legumes consumption only (AS). Nutrient adequacy per each diet was estimated for vitamin B12, zinc, iron, and selenium. The burden of disease was quantified using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The potential health risk and DALYs differ when comparing the burden due to exposure to chemical contaminants and the burden from the consumption of food, the former favoring the RS, while the latter favors the AS. The burden of disease due to exposure to chemical contaminants was between 672,410–1,215,875 DALYs in the RS, while in the AS it was between 964,132–1,084,229 DALYs. Consumption of processed meat added up to 1,813,338 DALYs, while legume intake averted 364,973 DALYs. However, the AS also indicated lower nutrient intakes potentially increasing the risk of nutrient inadequacy. A balanced diet made up of a variety of different foods is essential to prevent potentially higher dietary exposures to a range of chemical contaminants and assure adequate micronutrient intake. Greater importance should be given to food consumption trends and cross-referenced to existing and new natural toxin legislation and risk assessments in view of the ubiquitous and growing occurrence of heavy metals and mycotoxins in our food. The impacts of climate change, and the growing tendency toward plant-based diets are two factors which will drive further increases in human exposure to toxic contaminants. Graphical Abstract

Associations between meat consumption and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in middle-aged and older adults with frailty

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the associations between different types of meat consumption and mortality risk among people with frailty. DesignLongitudinal study. Setting and participantsWe included 19,913 physically frail participants from the UK Biobank. MeasurementsWe used the validated brief food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to measure meat consumption. Baseline diet data from 2006 to 2010 were collected, and participants were followed up until March 23, 2021. Cox proportional hazards regression models were conducted to examine the associations of meat consumption with mortality risk. ResultsWe identified 3,622 all-cause deaths, 1,453 cancer deaths, and 1,663 cardiovascular deaths during a median follow-up time of 11.2 years. Higher consumption of unprocessed poultry (per 25 g/day increment) was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75−0.88), cancer mortality (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74−0.96), and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.63−0.81). Consumption of unprocessed red meat had a U-shaped relationship with mortality. Moderate consumption of unprocessed red meat 1.0−1.9 times/week was associated with a 14% (95% CI: 3 %–24%) lower risk of all-cause mortality than the lowest consumption frequency group (0−0.9 times/week). The hazard of cancer and CV mortality was also lower in the 1.0−1.9 times/week group, though the associations were not statistically significant. More frequent consumption of processed meat was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07–1.34) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.02–1.42). Fish consumption was not associated with all types of mortality. ConclusionsHigher consumption of processed meat, not fish, was associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. In contrast, higher consumption of unprocessed poultry and moderate consumption of unprocessed red meat was associated with reduced all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality. These findings warrant further investigation to establish optimal dietary patterns for frail individuals.

Exploration of Metabolic Biomarkers Linking Red Meat Consumption to Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality in the UK Biobank.

Growing evidence suggests that red meat consumption is a risk factor for cardiovascular health, with potential sex disparity. The metabolic mechanisms have not been fully understood. Using the UK Biobank, first we examined the associations of unprocessed red meat and processed meat with ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality overall and by sex using logistic regression. Then, we examined the overall and sex-specific associations of red meat consumption with metabolites using multivariable regression, as well as the associations of selected metabolites with IHD mortality using logistic regression. We further selected metabolic biomarkers that are linked to both red meat consumption and IHD, with concordant directions. Unprocessed red meat and processed meat consumption was associated with higher IHD mortality overall and in men. Thirteen metabolites were associated with both unprocessed red meat and IHD mortality overall and showed a consistent direction, including triglycerides in different lipoproteins, phospholipids in very small very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), docosahexaenoic acid, tyrosine, creatinine, glucose, and glycoprotein acetyls. Ten metabolites related to triglycerides and VLDL were positively associated with both unprocessed red meat consumption and IHD mortality in men, but not in women. Processed meat consumption showed similar results with unprocessed red meat. Triglycerides in lipoproteins, fatty acids, and some nonlipid metabolites may play a role linking meat consumption to IHD. Triglycerides and VLDL-related lipid metabolism may contribute to the sex-specific associations. Sex differences should be considered in dietary recommendations.

Unprocessed Red Meat and Processed Meat Consumption, Plasma Metabolome, and Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease: AProspective Cohort Study of UK Biobank.

Background The evidence is equivocal on the association between meat consumption and ischemic heart disease (IHD) risk. To what extent the variation of individuals' metabolic responses to the same diet may account for this association is not fully understood. We aim to identify metabolomic signatures characterizing consumption of unprocessed red meat and processed meat and whether such signatures are associated with IHD risk. Methods and Results We conducted a cohort study of 92 246 individuals (mean age, 56.1 years; 55.1% women) using the UK Biobank. During the median follow-up of 8.74 years, 3059 incident IHD events were documented. Unprocessed red meat and processed meat consumption was assessed using a touchscreen dietary questionnaire. Plasma metabolome was profiled by high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to test the association of meat consumption with IHD. Genome-wide association analysis and 1-sample Mendelian randomization were performed for metabolomic signatures and causal association of signatures with IHD. Using elastic net regularized regressions, we constructed metabolomic signatures consisting of 157 and 142 metabolites for unprocessed red meat (Spearman correlation coefficient [r]=0.223) and processed meat (r=0.329), respectively. These signatures showed positive associations with incident IHD (red meat related signature: hazard ratio [HR] per SD increment=1.11 [95% CI, 1.06-1.16], P<0.001; processed meat related signature: HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.11-1.21], P<0.001). Genome-wide association studies identified 45 and 4 loci, involved in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, for red and processed meat related signatures. Mendelian randomization showed that there were casual associations of signatures with risk of incident IHD. Conclusions We identify metabolomic signatures that reflect consumption of unprocessed red meat and processed meat, and these signatures are associated with an increased risk of IHD.

Dose-Response Meta-Analysis on Risk of Diabetes in Relation to Red and Processed Meat Consumption - Asian Populations, 2006-2021.

Red and processed meat consumption has been positively related to an increased risk of diabetes in Western populations. However, the results remain inconclusive within Asian populations. This dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies conducted in East Asian populations reveals a positive relation between the consumption of processed meat and increased risk of diabetes. Furthermore, a U-shaped association was identified between the consumption of unprocessed red meat and the risk of diabetes. This research presents substantive evidence advocating for the reduction of processed and unprocessed red meat consumption as a viable strategy for mitigating the risk of diabetes in East Asian populations.

Sex-Specific Associations of Red Meat and Processed Meat Consumption with Serum Metabolites in the UK Biobank.

Red meat consumption has been found to closely related to cardiometabolic health, with sex disparity. However, the specific metabolic factors corresponding to red meat consumption in men and women have not been examined previously. We analyzed the sex-specific associations of meat consumption, with 167 metabolites using multivariable regression, controlling for age, ethnicity, Townsend deprivation index, education, physical activity, smoking, and drinking status among ~79,644 UK Biobank participants. We also compared the sex differences using an established formula. After accounting for multiple testing with false discovery rate < 5% and controlling for confounders, the positive associations of unprocessed red meat consumption with branched-chain amino acids and several lipoproteins, and the inverse association with glycine were stronger in women, while the positive associations with apolipoprotein A1, creatinine, and monounsaturated fatty acids were more obvious in men. For processed meat, the positive associations with branched-chain amino acids, several lipoproteins, tyrosine, lactate, glycoprotein acetyls and inverse associations with glutamine, and glycine were stronger in women than in men. The study suggests that meat consumption has sex-specific associations with several metabolites. This has important implication to provide dietary suggestions for individuals with or at high risk of cardiometabolic disease, with consideration of sex difference.

Unprocessed red meat in the dietary treatment of obesity: a randomized controlled trial of beef supplementation during weight maintenance after successful weight loss

Consumption of unprocessed red meat in randomized trials has no adverse effects on cardiovascular risk factors and body weight, but its physiological effects during weight loss maintenance are not known. We sought to investigate the effects of healthy diets that include small or large amounts of red meat on the maintenance of lost weight after successful weight loss, and secondarily on body composition (DXA), resting energy expenditure (REE; indirect calorimetry), and cardiometabolic risk factors. In this 5-mo parallel randomized intervention trial, 108 adults with BMI 28-40kg/m2 (45 males/63 females) underwent an 8-wk rapid weight loss period, and those who lost≥8% body weight (n=80) continued to ad libitum weight maintenance diets for 12 wk: a moderate-protein diet with 25g beef/d (B25, n=45) or a high-protein diet with 150g beef/d (B150, n=35). In per protocol analysis (n=69), mean body weight (-1.2 kg; 95% CI: -2.1, -0.3 kg), mean fat mass (-2.7 kg; 95% CI: -3.4, -2.0 kg), and mean body fat content (-2.6%; 95% CI: -3.1, -2.1%) decreased during the maintenance phase, whereas mean lean mass (1.5 kg; 95% CI: 1.0, 2.0 kg) and mean REE (51 kcal/d; 95% CI: 15, 86 kcal/d) increased, with no differences between groups (all P>0.05). Results were similar in intention-to-treat analysis with multiple imputation for dropouts (20 from B150 compared with 19 from B25, P=0.929). Changes in cardiometabolic risk factors were not different between groups, the general pattern being a decrease during weight loss and a return to baseline during weight maintenance (and despite the additional mild reduction in weight and fat mass). Healthy diets consumed ad libitum that contain a little or a lot of unprocessed beef have similar effects on body weight, energy metabolism, and cardiovascular risk factors during the first 3 mo after clinically significant rapid weight loss.

Abstract 12322: Red Meat Consumption and The Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies and Randomized Controlled Trials

Introduction: Observational studies show inconsistent associations of red meat consumption with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. Moreover, red meat consumption varies by sex, whether the associations vary by sex remains unclear. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to summarize the evidence concerning the association of unprocessed and processed red meat consumption with CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Two researchers independently searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before September 2021. Results: A total of 44 observational studies (N=4,857,244) for CVD and 28 observational studies (N=1,897,591) for diabetes were included. Red meat consumption was positively associated with risk of CVD [relative risk (RR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05 to 1.17 for unprocessed red meat; RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.22) for processed red meat], CHD and stroke, with no clear sex disparity. Both unprocessed and processed red meat consumption were related to a higher risk of T2DM, and unprocessed red meat consumption was related to risk of GDM. The associations with T2DM were more evident in men than in women, and in western countries. Conclusions: Our study suggests that unprocessed and processed red meat consumption are both associated with higher risk of CVD, CHD, stroke, and diabetes, with a more obvious association in women for diabetes. These findings highlight the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms to facilitate improving cardiometabolic health.

Health effects associated with consumption of unprocessed red meat: a Burden of Proof study

Characterizing the potential health effects of exposure to risk factors such as red meat consumption is essential to inform health policy and practice. Previous meta-analyses evaluating the effects of red meat intake have generated mixed findings and do not formally assess evidence strength. Here, we conducted a systematic review and implemented a meta-regression—relaxing conventional log-linearity assumptions and incorporating between-study heterogeneity—to evaluate the relationships between unprocessed red meat consumption and six potential health outcomes. We found weak evidence of association between unprocessed red meat consumption and colorectal cancer, breast cancer, type 2 diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Moreover, we found no evidence of an association between unprocessed red meat and ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke. We also found that while risk for the six outcomes in our analysis combined was minimized at 0 g unprocessed red meat intake per day, the 95% uncertainty interval that incorporated between-study heterogeneity was very wide: from 0–200 g d−1. While there is some evidence that eating unprocessed red meat is associated with increased risk of disease incidence and mortality, it is weak and insufficient to make stronger or more conclusive recommendations. More rigorous, well-powered research is needed to better understand and quantify the relationship between consumption of unprocessed red meat and chronic disease.

The Burden of Proof studies: assessing the evidence of risk

Exposure to risks throughout life results in a wide variety of outcomes. Objectively judging the relative impact of these risks on personal and population health is fundamental to individual survival and societal prosperity. Existing mechanisms to quantify and rank the magnitude of these myriad effects and the uncertainty in their estimation are largely subjective, leaving room for interpretation that can fuel academic controversy and add to confusion when communicating risk. We present a new suite of meta-analyses—termed the Burden of Proof studies—designed specifically to help evaluate these methodological issues objectively and quantitatively. Through this data-driven approach that complements existing systems, including GRADE and Cochrane Reviews, we aim to aggregate evidence across multiple studies and enable a quantitative comparison of risk–outcome pairs. We introduce the burden of proof risk function (BPRF), which estimates the level of risk closest to the null hypothesis that is consistent with available data. Here we illustrate the BPRF methodology for the evaluation of four exemplar risk–outcome pairs: smoking and lung cancer, systolic blood pressure and ischemic heart disease, vegetable consumption and ischemic heart disease, and unprocessed red meat consumption and ischemic heart disease. The strength of evidence for each relationship is assessed by computing and summarizing the BPRF, and then translating the summary to a simple star rating. The Burden of Proof methodology provides a consistent way to understand, evaluate and summarize evidence of risk across different risk–outcome pairs, and informs risk analysis conducted as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study.

Association of Meat Subtypes With Colorectal Polyp Prevalence: Finding From the Lanxi Pre-colorectal Cancer Cohort in China.

BackgroundAlthough the detrimental effect of red meat on colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has been extensively reported, no previous studies have comprehensively linked different meat subtypes with colorectal polyp occurrence. The aim was to assess the association of meat and subtypes with colorectal polyp prevalence for the high-risk CRC Chinese population. Besides, we also focused on the association according to sizes, subsites, and multiplicity of polyps.MethodsHigh-risk CRC patients aged 40–80 years were enrolled into the Lanxi Pre-colorectal Cancer Cohort (LP3C) between March 2018 and December 2019. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted by using the baseline data from LP3C. A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was employed to collect dietary information. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of colorectal polyp prevalence were estimated by multivariate logistic regression.Results2,064 colorectal polyp cases were identified among 6,783 eligible participants in the survey of LP3C (March 2018 and December 2019). Total meat intake was positively related to rectum polyp prevalence (Pfor trend = 0.01) but was not linked to total colorectal polyps after multivariable adjustment. For meat subtypes, higher poultry consumption was significantly related to a higher polyp prevalence [ORQ4vs.Q1 (95% CI): 1.20 (1.02–1.42); Pfor trend = 0.03]. Processed red meat intake was linked to an increased small polyp prevalence (Pfor trend = 0.03) while unprocessed red meat had a relation with a higher rectum polyp prevalence (Pfor trend = 0.04). Furthermore, seafood intake had a significant association with a higher multiple polyp prevalence [ORQ4vs.Q1 (95% CI): 1.70 (1.31–2.21); Pfor trend < 0.001].ConclusionThe finding was that poultry meat consumption was related to a higher polyp prevalence. Besides, total meat consumption, processed and unprocessed red meat consumption, seafood consumption had a positive relation with certain polyp subtypes prevalence. Generally recommending reducing total meat consumption, including poultry, processed and unprocessed red meat, and seafood intake, may prevent colorectal polyps.

Dietary patterns of Polish seniors in retirees' households.

About 7 million people in Poland receive pensions. The amount of benefits paid to pensioners is reflected in the income at their households and expenses, including food expenses. The aim of the study was to evaluate the dietary patterns of Polish seniors in the retirees` households on the basis of an analysis of food consumption and energy and nutrient intake. Food consumption evaluation was based on household budget survey conducted by Statistics Poland in 2019 throughout the whole country. Energy and nutrient intake were calculated using the conversion factors. The consumption of unprocessed red meat in retirees' households was 1.83 kg/person/month, meat products - 2.90 kg and kitchen salt - 0.24 kg. 6.52 kg of vegetables and 5.99 kg of fruit were consumed per person per month. The mean energy intake in members of these households was 2387 kcal/day. The proportion of energy from fat was high - 36.6%. 14.2% of energy was derived from protein and 49.6% from digestible carbohydrates. The share of animal fat (55.0 g) was higher than vegetable fat (43.7 g). It was associated with a high percentage of energy from saturated fatty acids - 13.4%. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids was less than half of the saturated fatty acids. Calcium and vitamin D intake was low (658 mg and 3.8 μg respectively). Red meat, processed meat and salt consumption by seniors was too high in relation to the nutritional recommendations. Vegetables and fruit were consumed in amounts that are recommended. Seniors diet was improperly balanced, e.g. due to the high percentage of energy from fat, including saturated fatty acids. However, the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids was low. Calcium and vitamin D intake was lower than Reference Intakes.

Substitution of processed meat for fish or poultry and the impact on hypertension in the E3N cohort

Abstract Objectives Processed meat has been associated with an increased risk of hypertension (1). This study aimed to determine the possible effect of substituting processed meat (PM) with fish using specified food substitution models (2), in the French E3N cohort study. Methods This study included 46843 women from the prospective E3N study who had no hypertension at 1993, and completed a first food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) sent in 1993 which was used to estimate dietary intakes of various foods including PM, and fish, considering serving sizes of 150 g. Estimates of the hazard ratio for incident hypertension were obtained using Cox Proportional Hazard Models, and the substitution method (2) was used to obtain estimates for substitution of PM for fish. Boot-strapping with 50 samples was used to estimate 95% confidence intervals for the substitution. Models were sequentially adjusted for age and risk-factors for hypertension, then dietary variables, and finally energy. Results During follow-up, 12,465 cases of hypertension were reported over 712,703 personyears. Mean consumption of processed meat was 1.3 servings/week, 1.3 servings/week for fish and 2.3 servings/week for poultry. Substitution of one serving of processed meat for fish per week was associated with a slightly reduced risk of hypertension in all models, regardless of the underlying restrictions placed on diet, or energy (HR = 0.95(0.91: 0.98)). The association was weaker for poultry (HR = 0.98 (0.96, 1.01)). Conclusions Substitution one serving of PM for fish per week could be associated with a small reduction in the risk of hypertension amongst French women.

Processed and Unprocessed Red Meat Consumption and Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies.

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder that occurs in the body because of decreased insulin activity and/or insulin secretion. The incidence of T2DM has rapidly increased over recent decades. The relation between consumption of different types of red meats and risk of T2DM remains uncertain. This meta-analysis was conducted to quantitatively assess the associations of processed red meat (PRM) and unprocessed red meat (URM) consumption with T2DM. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library for English-language cohort studies published before January 2021. Summary relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using fixed effects and random effects. Additionally, dose–response relationships were explored using meta-regression. Fifteen studies (n = 682,963 participants, cases = 50,675) were identified. Compared with the lowest intake group, high consumption of PRM and URM increased T2DM risk by 27% (95% CI 1.15–1.40) and 15% (95% CI 1.08–1.23), respectively. These relationships were consistently strongest for U.S-based studies, though the effects of sex are inconclusive. In conclusion, PRM and URM are both positively associated with T2DM incidence, and these relationships are strongest in the U.S. reduction of red meat consumption should be explored as a target for T2DM prevention initiatives.

Reconciling contrasting guideline recommendations on red and processed meat for health outcomes

Over the last decade, multiple authoritative organizations have recommended limiting the consumption of unprocessed red meat and processed meat [1,2]. Based on five systematic reviews, we have recently published a new set of guidelines that have called the previous recommendations into question, suggesting that, for most people, the health benefits are too small and uncertain to warrant reducing meat consumption [3–10]. Although we share the current environmental concerns related to diet and agricultural practices, as well as animal welfare issues, given our lack of expertise with such topics, as well as the scientific need to focus on optimal evidence synthesis methods addressing meat and its purported health risks, the guideline focused exclusively on health outcomes [3].

Meat consumption and risk of 25 common conditions: outcome-wide analyses in 475,000 men and women in the UK Biobank study

BackgroundThere is limited prospective evidence on the association between meat consumption and many common, non-cancerous health outcomes. We examined associations of meat intake with risk of 25 common conditions (other than cancer).MethodsWe used data from 474,985 middle-aged adults recruited into the UK Biobank study between 2006 and 2010 and followed up until 2017 (mean follow-up 8.0 years) with available information on meat intake at baseline (collected via touchscreen questionnaire), and linked hospital admissions and mortality data. For a large sub-sample (~ 69,000), dietary intakes were re-measured three or more times using an online, 24-h recall questionnaire.ResultsOn average, participants who reported consuming meat regularly (three or more times per week) had more adverse health behaviours and characteristics than participants who consumed meat less regularly, and most of the positive associations observed for meat consumption and health risks were substantially attenuated after adjustment for body mass index (BMI). In multi-variable adjusted (including BMI) Cox regression models corrected for multiple testing, higher consumption of unprocessed red and processed meat combined was associated with higher risks of ischaemic heart disease (hazard ratio (HRs) per 70 g/day higher intake 1.15, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.07–1.23), pneumonia (1.31, 1.18–1.44), diverticular disease (1.19, 1.11–1.28), colon polyps (1.10, 1.06–1.15), and diabetes (1.30, 1.20–1.42); results were similar for unprocessed red meat and processed meat intakes separately. Higher consumption of unprocessed red meat alone was associated with a lower risk of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA: HR per 50 g/day higher intake 0.80, 95% CIs 0.72–0.90). Higher poultry meat intake was associated with higher risks of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (HR per 30 g/day higher intake 1.17, 95% CIs 1.09–1.26), gastritis and duodenitis (1.12, 1.05–1.18), diverticular disease (1.10, 1.04–1.17), gallbladder disease (1.11, 1.04–1.19), and diabetes (1.14, 1.07–1.21), and a lower IDA risk (0.83, 0.76–0.90).ConclusionsHigher unprocessed red meat, processed meat, and poultry meat consumption was associated with higher risks of several common conditions; higher BMI accounted for a substantial proportion of these increased risks suggesting that residual confounding or mediation by adiposity might account for some of these remaining associations. Higher unprocessed red meat and poultry meat consumption was associated with lower IDA risk.

Joint Associations of Multiple Dietary Components With Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Machine-Learning Approach.

The human diet consists of a complex mixture of components. To realistically assess dietary impacts on health, new statistical tools that can better address nonlinear, collinear, and interactive relationships are necessary. Using data from 1,928 healthy participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort (1985-2006), we explored the association between 12 dietary factors and 10-year predicted risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) using an innovative approach, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Employing BKMR, we found that among women, unprocessed red meat was most strongly related to the outcome: An interquartile range increase in unprocessed red meat consumption was associated with a 0.07-unit (95% credible interval: 0.01, 0.13) increase in ASCVD risk when intakes of other dietary components were fixed at their median values (similar results were obtained when other components were fixed at their 25th and 75th percentile values). Among men, fruits had the strongest association: An interquartile range increase in fruit consumption was associated with -0.09-unit (95% credible interval (CrI): -0.16, -0.02), -0.10-unit (95% CrI: -0.16, -0.03), and -0.11-unit (95% CrI: -0.18, -0.04) lower ASCVD risk when other dietary components were fixed at their 25th, 50th (median), and 75th percentile values, respectively. Using BKMR to explore the complex structure of the total diet, we found distinct sex-specific diet-ASCVD relationships and synergistic interaction between whole grain and fruit consumption.

Patterns of Red and Processed Meat Consumption across North America: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Comparison of Dietary Recalls from Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Close economic ties encourage production and trade of meat between Canada, Mexico, and the US. Understanding the patterns of red and processed meat consumption in North America may inform policies designed to reduce meat consumption and bolster environmental and public health efforts across the continent. We used nationally-representative cross-sectional survey data to analyze consumption of unprocessed red meat; processed meat; and total red and processed meat. Generalized linear models were used to separately estimate probability of consumption and adjusted mean intake. Prevalence of total meat consumers was higher in the US (73.6, 95% CI: 72.3–74.8%) than in Canada (65.6, 63.9–67.2%) or Mexico (62.7, 58.1–67.2%). Men were more likely to consume unprocessed red, processed, and total meat, and had larger estimated intakes. In Mexico, high wealth individuals were more likely to consume all three categories of meat. In the US and Canada, those with high education were less likely to consume total and processed meat. Estimated mean intake of unprocessed red, processed, and total meat did not differ across sociodemographic strata. Overall consumption of red and processed meat remains high in North America. Policies to reduce meat consumption are appropriate for all three countries.