Total Meat Consumption Research Articles

In Healthy Pathways of Dietary Changes, a Very Rapid Reduction of Red Meat Is Possible, but Specific Diet Changes Are Required for Full Reduction—A Graph-Based Analysis

BackgroundAlthough reducing meat consumption is becoming increasingly popular in Western countries, such a transition to a sustainable diet may pose some nutritional risks. ObjectivesWe aim to analyze the pathways for reaching a low-meat healthy diet and the changes in other food categories needed to rapidly decrease total red meat consumption. MethodsWe used a recently developed method based on graph theory to represent all possible pathways of stepwise changes that avoid nutritional deficiencies toward a target healthy diet. Initial and target diets were defined as the daily consumption of 33 food groups. For each sex, 3 initial diets were taken from the French representative survey third individual and national study on food consumption survey as the mean observed diet and low (first quintile) and high (fifth quintile) meat consumption. Target diets were identified using multicriteria optimization to minimize the long-term health risk (HR) of chronic diseases while ensuring nutritional adequacy. The Dijkstra algorithm was used to identify the optimal pathways between the initial and target diets, with the aim of reducing meat consumption as quickly as possible and thus minimizing long-term HRs. ResultsUnprocessed red meat was easily minimized in the first steps of the pathways regardless of sex and initial level of meat consumption. However, processed meat could only be decreased later and required prior changes such as increases in fruit, vegetables, and oily fish. During total red meat minimization in females, securing adequate intakes of bioavailable iron had the most substantial impact on the other dietary changes needed. ConclusionsImmediate reduction of red meat consumption is possible on the pathway to a healthy diet that avoids any nutrient deficiency. However, early increases in fruit, vegetables, and fish are required before minimizing total red meat early in the diet.

High red meat consumption among PNPLA3 polymorphism carriers is associated with NAFLD in a multi-center cross-sectional study.

Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 gene (PNPLA3) polymorphism has been implicated in susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with evidence for potential interaction with nutrition. However, the combination of meat consumption with genetic polymorphism has not been tested. Therefore, this study aims to test the association between the joint presence of PNPLA3 rs738409 G-allele with high meat consumption and NAFLD in populations with diverse meat consumption. A cross-sectional study among Israeli screening and Brazilian primary healthcare populations. Food consumption was assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire. PNPLA3 polymorphism was defined as homozygous (GG) or heterozygous (GC). Inconclusive/probable NAFLD was defined as a fatty liver index (FLI) ≥ 30 and probable NAFLD as FLI ≥ 60. The sample included 511 subjects from the screening and primary healthcare populations (n = 213 and n = 298, respectively). Genetic polymorphism (homozygous GG or heterozygous GC) combined with high consumption of total meat, red and/or processed meat, unprocessed red meat, and processed meat was associated with the highest odds for inconclusive/probable NAFLD (OR = 2.75, 95%CI 1.27-5.97, p = 0.011; OR = 3.24, 1.43-7.34, p = 0.005; OR = 2.92, 1.32-6.47, p = 0.008; OR = 3.16, 1.46-6.83, p = 0.003, respectively), adjusting for age, gender, BMI, alcohol consumption, carbohydrate, and saturated fat intake. In addition, genetic polymorphism combined with high processed meat consumption was associated with the highest odds for probable NAFLD (OR = 2.40, 95%CI 1.04-5.56, p = 0.040). High red meat intake may confer a greater risk for NAFLD among PNPLA3 polymorphism carriers. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and consider minimizing red and processed meat consumption among PNPLA3 polymorphism carriers.

Fasting plasma metabolites reflecting meat consumption and their associations with incident type 2 diabetes in two Swedish cohorts

BackgroundConsumption of processed red meat has been associated with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), but challenges in dietary assessment call for objective intake biomarkers. ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate metabolite biomarkers of meat intake and their associations with T2D risk. MethodsFasting plasma samples were collected from a case–control study nested within Västerbotten Intervention Program (VIP) (214 females and 189 males) who developed T2D after a median follow-up of 7 years. Panels of biomarker candidates reflecting the consumption of total, processed, and unprocessed red meat and poultry were selected from the untargeted metabolomics data collected on the controls. Observed associations were then replicated in Swedish Mammography clinical subcohort in Uppsala (SMCC) (n = 4457 females). Replicated metabolites were assessed for potential association with T2D risk using multivariable conditional logistic regression in the discovery and Cox regression in the replication cohorts. ResultsIn total, 15 metabolites were associated with ≥1 meat group in both cohorts. Acylcarnitines 8:1, 8:2, 10:3, reflecting higher processed meat intake [r > 0.22, false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.001 for VIP and r > 0.05; FDR < 0.001 for SMCC) were consistently associated with higher T2D risk in both data sets. Conversely, lysophosphatidylcholine 17:1 and phosphatidylcholine (PC) 15:0/18:2 were associated with lower processed meat intake (r < −0.12; FDR < 0.023, for VIP and r < −0.05; FDR < 0.001, for SMCC) and with lower T2D risk in both data sets, except for PC 15:0/18:2, which was significant only in the VIP cohort. All associations were attenuated after adjustment for BMI (kg/m2). ConclusionsConsistent associations of biomarker candidates involved in lipid metabolism between higher processed red meat intake with higher T2D risk and between those reflecting lower intake with the lower risk may suggest a relationship between processed meat intake and higher T2D risk. However, attenuated associations after adjusting for BMI indicates that such a relationship may at least partly be mediated or confounded by BMI.

The Per Capita Meat Consumption: the Trend and Macroeconomic Determinants in Nigeria

This study examined trends in per capita consumption of game meat, mutton, pork and total meat and provided evidence of their correlation with key macroeconomic factors in Nigeria. Data from FAOSTAT, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the World Bank (WB) covering the period 1981 to 2021 were analyzed. The results showed that game meat, mutton, pork and total meat consumption per capita recorded compound annual exponential growth rates of -0.87%, 2.05%, 2.08% and -0.54%, respectively. The empirical results showed that the rate of inflation, the nominal exchange rate, GDP per capita, credit to the agricultural sector, and capacity utilization in the meat industry all had varying degrees of impact on per capita meat consumption (including game meat, mutton, pork and total meat) in both the short and long runs. In order to increase per capita meat consumption in the country, it is strongly recommended to effectively manage the identified macroeconomic variables and implement appropriate measures to stabilize inflation and the nominal exchange rate. At the same time, concerted efforts should be made to increase GDP per capita.

Dose-response association between animal protein sources and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

There are contradictory findings about the relationship between various animal protein sources and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The purpose of our study was to understand better the associations between total protein, animal protein, and animal protein sources and the risk of developing GDM. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science encompassing the literature up until August 2022. A random-effects model was used to combine the data. For estimating the dose-response curves, a one-stage linear mixed-effects meta-analysis was conducted. Data related to the association between animal protein consumption and the risk of GDM in the general population was extracted from prospective cohort studies. It was determined that 17 prospective cohort studies with a total of 49 120 participants met the eligibility criteria. It was concluded with high certainty of evidence that there was a significant association between dietary animal protein intake and GDM risk (1.94, 95% CI 1.42 to 2.65, n = 6). Moreover, a higher intake of total protein, total meat, and red meat was positively and significantly associated with an increased risk of GDM. The pooled relative risks of GDM were 1.50 (95% CI: 1.16, 1.94; n = 3) for a 30 g/d increment in processed meat, 1.68 (95% CI: 1.25, 2.24; n = 2) and 1.94 (95% CI: 1.41, 2.67; n = 4) for a 100 g/d increment in total and red meat, and 1.21 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.33; n = 4) and 1.32 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.52; n = 3) for a 5% increment in total protein and animal protein, respectively. GDM had a positive linear association with total protein, animal protein, total meat consumption, and red meat consumption, based on non-linear dose-response analysis. Overall, consuming more animal protein-rich foods can increase the risk of GDM. The results from the current study need to be validated by other, well-designed prospective studies. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022352303.

Diet's Role in Modifying Risk of Alzheimer's Disease: History and Present Understanding.

Diet is an important nonpharmacological risk-modifying factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The approaches used here to assess diet's role in the risk of AD include multi-country ecological studies, prospective and cross-sectional observational studies, and laboratory studies. Ecological studies have identified fat, meat, and obesity from high-energy diets as important risk factors for AD and reported that AD rates peak about 15-20 years after national dietary changes. Observational studies have compared the Western dietary pattern with those of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean (MedDi), and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diets. Those studies identified AD risk factors including higher consumption of saturated and total fats, meat, and ultraprocessed foods and a lower risk of AD with higher consumption of fruits, legumes, nuts, omega-3 fatty acids, vegetables, and whole grains. Diet-induced factors associated with a significant risk of AD include inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, elevated homocysteine, dietary advanced glycation end products, and trimethylamine N-oxide. The molecular mechanisms by which dietary bioactive components and specific foods affect risk of AD are discussed. Given most countries' entrenched food supply systems, the upward trends of AD rates would be hard to reverse. However, for people willing and able, a low-animal product diet with plenty of anti-inflammatory, low-glycemic load foods may be helpful.

Effects of an educational planetary plate graphic on meat consumption in a Stanford University dining hall: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAssess the impact of an educational Planetary Health Plate (PHP) graphic on meat-related dietary choices of Stanford University dining hall patrons using a randomized controlled trial crossover design. All patrons entering the dining hall during study periods were enrolled as participants. Control, n = 631; PHP, n = 547.MethodsCompare dietary behavior without signage to behavior while exposed to PHP during four equivalent dinner meals. The primary outcome was total meat-dish weight adjusted for the number of people entering the dining hall. Secondary outcomes included the number of meat-dish servings and average meat-dish serving weight. Analysis using T-tests, Poisson generalized linear model.ResultsDifferences in total meat-dish weight, (1.54 kg; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = -4.41,1.33; P = .19) and average meat-dish serving weight (0.03 kg; 95% CI = 0.00, 0.06; P = .07) between PHP and control patrons did not reach significance. The rate at which PHP patrons took meat was significantly lower (Incidence Rate Ratio 0.80; 95% CI = 0.71, 0.91; P < .001).ConclusionExposure to an educational plate graphic decreased the proportion of patrons taking meat but had no impact on total meat consumption or meat-dish serving weight. Statistical methods used in this study may inform future investigations on dietary change in the dining hall setting. Further research on the role of educational signage in influencing dietary behavior is warranted, with an aim to improve human health and environmental sustainability.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05565859, registered 4 October 2022

Large-scale production: A possible way to the balance between feed grain security and meat security in China

Food security as a national strategy, closely links to China's economic progress, people's livelihoods and social harmony. The balance between feed grain security and meat security remains a key unresolved issue that significantly impacts China's integral food security goal. In this study, we first apply food security index to demonstrate the efficacy of the self-sufficiency rate as an indicator for evaluating the food security situation, and then evaluate meat security and feed grain security with self-sufficiency rate, as well as explore their production challenges and successful long-term development experiences based on related agricultural data. We find that the burgeoning meat consumption has made feed grains a “rigid demand”, among which pork and soybean are critical parts. Pork consumption accounts for over 65% of total meat consumption in 2020, but its self-sufficient rate is waning. Moreover, the self-sufficiency rate of soybean is as low as 0.15, and a great unit yield gap between China and the United States. However, the current production patterns have already reached their attainable potential in production efficiency due to the declining growth rate of unit yield, which also pose challenges for improving production efficiency and domestic supply of soybean. According to the projection by FAO-OECD, the growth rate of unit yield of soybean will remain stagnant from 2020 to 2030. Furthermore, the percentage of medium-scale and large-scale pig farms is remarkably low, accounting for only 0.578% and 0.013%, respectively. Further analysis indicates that large-scale production in soybean and pig industry offers notable advantages in improving production efficiency and reducing feed consumption. Finally, based on factors such as soybean sowing area, regions with high pig slaughter and scale farms, farm size and the pig regional development planning, we propose the integration of soybean-pig in large-scale production in selected possible provinces, which has the potential to improve the production efficiency of soybean and pig, to strike a balance between feed grain security and meat security. This study has practical significance in optimizing the production space of feed grains and livestock products, to improve production capability and ensure China's food security.

The Association between Total Protein, Animal Protein, and Animal Protein Sources with Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies.

We aimed to conduct this dose-dependent meta-analysis to examine the relation between total protein, animal protein, and its sources with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We searched databases, comprising PubMed/Medline, Web of Science (ISI), Embase, and Google Scholar, for the published studies up to 28 March 2023. Prospective cohort study designs that investigated associations between dietary intake of various animal protein sources and with risk of IBD in the general population were identified. Eleven prospective cohort studies with 4,302,554 participants and 8067 cases were considered eligible. Findings indicated that higher intake of dairy was significantly associated with a lower risk of IBD (relative risk [RR]: 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72, 0.90), Crohn disease (RR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.86), and ulcerative colitis (RR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.94). There was no association between different sources of animal protein and the risk of IBD. The dose-response analysis suggested that each 100 g/d increment in dietary total meat consumption was associated with a 38% greater risk of IBD. Moreover, a positive linear association was found between total meat intake and risk of IBD (Pnonlinearity = 0.522, Pdose-response = 0.005). Overall, among the dietary sources of protein, the risk of IBD increased only with increasing total meat intake, and the consumption of protein from dairy products was found to be a protective factor against the IBD risk. This trial was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42023397719.

The impact of information about animal husbandry systems on consumers’ choice of meat products in a virtual supermarket

Farm animal welfare has become a frequently discussed issue. However, the consumption of animal-friendly products remains a small part of total meat consumption. This study investigated whether providing consumers with more detailed information about animal husbandry systems could influence their product choices at a virtual supermarket. Participants (N = 124) were randomly assigned to one of three experiment conditions, which differed in terms of the information provided: 1) only animal-welfare label (control condition), 2) animal-welfare label and a positive video describing an organic animal husbandry system (AHS) (positive video condition), and 3) animal-welfare label, a positive video, and a negative video describing a conventional AHS (positive & negative video condition). In all conditions, participants needed to select an ingredient for a curry dish from three presented products, i.e., a conventional chicken breast, an organic chicken breast, and a plant-based meat alternative that looks like chicken meat. The results indicated that participants’ product choices were not significantly different between the three conditions. As shown by eye-tracking data, participants paid little attention to the animal-welfare-related information. Price was the most important information for participants’ purchasing choices. Also, participants’ meat-eating justification (MEJ) strategies were negatively correlated with their choice of products produced with higher animal-welfare standards. These results illustrate that providing more information about animal-welfare or the conditions under which animals are farmed alone is not enough to induce significant changes of consumers’ meat shopping behavior. The price of the products and participants’ MEJ strategies play important roles in consumers’ purchase decisions.

A study on enhancement of red meat production and consumption estimation methods in Türkiye

AbstractIt is necessary to estimate the number of animals slaughtered outside slaughterhouses in countries like Türkiye, where slaughterings in non-slaughterhouses are relatively high. This paper presents the estimation of red meat production including all slaughterings both in slaughterhouses and in non-slaughterhouses by using a re-established model based on change in the inventory of animals including imported and exported animals, slaughtering rate for the slaughtered animals raised domestically in Türkiye, and total red meat consumption per capita per year in Türkiye. Total red meat production in Türkiye was estimated as 1 million 952 thousand 38 tonnes, bovine meat production was estimated as 1 million 471 thousand 550 tonnes, sheep and goats meat production was estimated as 480 thousand 488 tonnes in 2021. Total red meat human consumption per capita in Türkiye was estimated as 23 kg carcass weight per capita per year and 17 kg retail weight per capita per year. 17 kg of total red meat human consumption came from bovine meat, and 6 kg came from sheep and goats meat. According to the result of cluster analysis of European countries, Türkiye was clustered in the group of lowest total red meat consumption with Albania, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Moldova, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, and Serbia.

Total meat (flesh) supply may be a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases worldwide.

Consumption of red meat instead of white meat has typically been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Reflecting actual diet patterns, this study explored the role of total meat (red + white) in predicting CVD incidence. Data from 217 countries were extracted from United Nations agencies for the analyses in five steps. Bivariate correlations were applied to examine the relationship between total meat and CVD incidence globally and regionally. Partial correlation was applied to identify that total meat was an independent predictor of CVD incidence while socioeconomic status, obesity, and urbanization were statistically constant. Stepwise linear regression was conducted for selecting the significant predictor of CVD incidence. SPSS 28 and Microsoft Excel were used for correlation analyses. Globally, total meat correlated to CVD incidence strongly and significantly in bivariate correlation models. This relationship remained significant in partial correlation when socioeconomic status, obesity, and urbanization were statistically kept constant. Stepwise multiple regression identified that, second to socioeconomic status, total meat was a significant predictor of CVD incidence. Total meat correlated to CVD incidence in different country groupings. However, the correlations between total meat and CVD incidence were significantly stronger in developing countries than in developed countries. Worldwide, total meat (flesh) consumption correlated to CVD incidence independently, but significantly stronger in developing countries than in developed countries. This correlation is worth exploring further in longitudinal cohort studies.

A matched case-control study in Taiwan to evaluate potential risk factors for prostate cancer

The rising incidence rate of prostate cancer (PCa) worldwide has become a public health concern. PCa has a multifactorial etiology, and the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and PCa has been widely investigated by numerous case–control studies. This age-matched, case–control study included 143 PCa patients and 135 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients, with prostatic specimens testing negative for malignancy, as control. Study participants were recruited from four major hospitals in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, period 2018–2020, looking into HPV infection and other PCa risk factors, including dietary habits, family history, personal lifestyle, and sexual behavior. Multiple logistic regression analysis and forward stepwise selection analysis were conducted to identify potential risk factors for PCa. HPV DNA was found in 10 of the 143 PCa cases (7%) and 2 of the 135 BPH controls (1.5%) (OR = 6.02, 95% CI = 1.03–30.3, p = 0.046). This association was slightly significant, and furthermore, high risk HPV was not found to be associated with PCa. Higher body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.05–1.27, p = 0.003), more total meat consumption (OR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.26–5.94, p = 0.011), exhibited association to PCa. However, PCa family history only presented a statistically significant difference by forward stepwise analysis (OR = 3.91, 95% CI = 1.17–13.12, p = 0.027). While much focus has been on the association between HPV and PCa, the results of this study indicate that more efforts should be directed towards investigating dietary habits, personal lifestyle and family history as factors for PCa. These results could serve as a basis for designing PCa prevention strategies.

Ethnic differences in attitudes, beliefs, and patterns of meat consumption among American young women meat eaters.

Meat eaters face conflicts over meat consumption due to recent increasing demands for reduced-meat diets to promote human and environmental health. Attitudes toward consuming meat have been shown to be culture-specific. Thus, this study was performed to examine cultural differences in attitudes, beliefs, and patterns of meat consumption among meat eaters in a group homogeneous in terms of age and sex but with diverse ethnicities. In this cross-sectional study conducted in New York City in 2014, 520 female meat eaters (Whites = 25%; Blacks = 20%; East Asians = 35%; Hispanics = 20%) aged 20-29 completed a questionnaire consisting of a series of questions on meat consumption behaviors, which addressed amounts of consumption, cooking methods, past and future changes in meat consumption, and attitudes and beliefs regarding relationships between health and meat consumption. Logistic and multiple regression analyses were used to assess the effects of variables on meat consumption. Blacks had the highest annual total meat consumption (64.2 kg), followed by East Asians (53.6 kg), Whites (46.9 kg), and Hispanics (35.8 kg). Blacks ate significantly more chicken than the other ethnic groups (P < 0.001), and East Asians ate significantly more pork and processed meat (P < 0.001). Regardless of ethnicity, grilling/roasting/broiling were the preferred cooking methods, and vegetables were most consumed as a side dish. More than half of the participants expressed an intention to decrease future meat consumption. East Asians more strongly perceived meat as a festive food (P < 0.001) and were less guilty about the slaughtering animals (P = 0.11) than other groups. No differences were found between the ethnic groups regarding negative attitudes to meat consumption. The results show that ethnicities differ in terms of attitudes, beliefs, and patterns of meat consumption. Irrespective of ethnicity, the meat-eating participants almost unanimously demonstrated a willingness to reduce future meat consumption. It is hoped these findings aid the formulation of culturally-tailored interventions that effectively reduce meat consumption.

Dietary factors and the risk of lung cancer by epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status and histological subtypes.

Previous studies have reported differential associations of certain dietary factors such as soy consumption by epidermal growth factor receptor mutant (EGFR +) subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, whether the other dietary factors including meat, fruits, and vegetables have differential risks on different histological and molecular subtypes of lung cancer remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a case-control study to evaluate these associations. A total of 3,170 cases and 4,238 controls from three different studies (Genes and Environment in Lung Cancer Study, Lung Cancer Consortium Singapore Study, and Multi-ethnic Cohort Study) were included. Information on demographics, lifestyle, and dietary consumption was obtained using questionnaires. Diet was assessed by using the number of standard servings of each item consumed per week. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between meat, vegetables, and fruits consumption with lung cancer risk after adjusting for potential confounders. We identified a significant inverse association between higher consumption of fruits and the risk of lung cancer (2nd tertile: OR = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.46-0.65; 3rd tertile: OR = 0.77, 95%CI = 0.65-0.91), compared with the lower (1st tertile) consumption of fruits. Higher vegetable consumption was significantly associated with a lower risk of EGFR + lung cancer (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.54-0.88), however, this association was not significant among EGFR wild-type (-) lung cancer. Conversely, higher consumption of total meat (OR = 2.10, 95%CI = 1.58-2.79) was significantly associated with higher lung cancer risk, as compared with the lower consumption group. Differential associations between vegetable consumption with EGFR mutation status in NSCLC were found. Further prospective studies are warranted to assess this association and elucidate the biological mechanisms.

Associations of dietary, lifestyle, and other participant characteristics with APC, β-catenin, E-cadherin, and MSH2 expression in the normal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients

Abnormal expression of Wnt pathway and DNA mismatch repair proteins is common during colorectal carcinogenesis. To investigate cross-sectional associations of lifestyle, dietary, and other participant characteristics with the expression of such proteins, we measured APC, β-catenin, E-cadherin, and MSH2 colorectal crypt expression in biopsies of normal-appearing colorectal mucosa from 104 sporadic colorectal adenoma patients using automated immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis. We used multivariable general linear models to compare adjusted mean biomarker expression across categories of participant characteristics. Example findings include that among women relative to men, mean APC expression in whole crypts, the upper 40% of crypts (differentiation zone), and the lower 60% of crypts (proliferation zone) was 322.9% higher (p&amp;lt;0.01), 296.7% higher (p&amp;lt;0.01), and 399.1% higher (p&amp;lt;0.01), respectively. Among participants with higher alcohol consumption, APC expression in the crypt differentiation zone was estimated to be 15.9% lower (p=0.08). Among those with higher total meat consumption, β-catenin expression in whole crypts and the crypt proliferation zone was estimated to be 20.5% higher (p=0.07) and 19.6% higher (p=0.06), respectively, and MSH2 expression in the crypt differentiation zone was estimated to be 64.4% lower (p=0.10). Among those with a higher body mass index, MSH2 expression in the crypt differentiation zone was estimated to be 87.5% lower (p=0.15). These pilot study findings suggest that being male, higher adiposity, and higher alcohol and meat consumption may be unfavorably associated with biomarkers of colorectal carcinogenesis pathway proteins in the normal-appearing colorectal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients and support further investigation in larger studies.

Plasma Metabolite Profiles Associated with the Amount and Source of Meat and Fish Consumption and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

Consumption of meat has been associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but if plasma metabolite profiles associated with these foods reflect this relationship is unknown. The objective is to identify a metabolite signature of consumption of total meat (TM), red meat (RM), processed red meat (PRM), and fish and examine if they are associated with T2D risk. The discovery population includes 1833 participants from the PREDIMED trial. The internal validation sample includes 1522 participants with available 1-year follow-up metabolomic data. Associations between metabolites and TM, RM, PRM, and fish are evaluated with elastic net regression. Associations between the profiles and incident T2D are estimated using Cox regressions. The profiles included 72 metabolites for TM, 69 for RM, 74 for PRM, and 66 for fish. After adjusting for T2D risk factors, only profiles of TM (Hazard Ratio (HR): 1.25, 95% CI: 1.06-1.49), RM (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07-1.52), and PRM (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07-1.51) are associated with T2D. The consumption of TM, its subtypes, and fish is associated with different metabolites, some of which have been previously associated with T2D. Scores based on the identified metabolites for TM, RM, and PRM show a significant association with T2D risk.

The association between meat consumption and muscle strength index in young adults: the mediating role of total protein intake and lean mass percentage.

The aim of this study was to analyse the associations between the consumption of different types of meat and the muscle strength index (MSI) and to examine whether this relationship is mediated by total protein intake (TPI) and lean mass percentage (LM%) in young adults. We conducted a cross-sectional study with first-year university students from Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Different types of meat consumption (total, red, processed, and white and fish) were separately evaluated using a Food-Frequency Questionnaire. MSI was determined from the handgrip and standing long jump tests. ANCOVA models were used to test the mean differences in MSI by categories of meat consumption. Serial multiple mediation models were used to explore the mediating role of TPI and LM% in the relationship between meat consumption and MSI. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and socioeconomic level, identified through a directed acyclic graph. Additional analyses were performed with a small subsample including alcohol intake, tobacco smoking, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and total energy intake as covariates in the multiple mediation models. A total of 230 students (mean age 21.1 ± 2.1years, 66.5% women) were included in the analysis. Young adults with higher meat consumption (total, red, and white and fish) had higher MSI adjusted means than their peers with lower meat consumption (p < 0.05). These associations did not remain after controlling for TPI and LM%. In adjusted mediation analyses, a significant indirect effect was observed through TPI and LM% in the associations between each of the types of meat consumption and MSI. In the additional analyses, a greater effect of white and fish meat consumption on muscle strength through mediation of TPI and LM% was reported compared to red or processed meat consumption, and no significant effects were observed between processed meat consumption and MSI. Higher consumption of total, red, and white and fish meat was associated with increased MSI in young adults. TPI and LM% mediated this relationship.

High Meat Consumption Is Prospectively Associated with the Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Presumed Significant Fibrosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with meat consumption in cross-sectional studies. However, only a few prospective studies have been conducted, and they did not test for liver fibrosis. We aimed to assess the association between meat consumption changes and the incidence and remission of NAFLD and significant liver fibrosis. We used a prospective cohort study design, including 316 subjects aged 40–70 years, participating in baseline and follow-up evaluations at Tel-Aviv Medical Center. NAFLD was determined by liver ultrasound or controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and liver fibrosis was determined by FibroScan. Meat consumption (g/day) was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). In multivariable-adjusted analyses, high consumption of red and/or processed meat (≥gender-specific median) was associated with a higher risk of NAFLD with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR = 3.75, 1.21–11.62, p = 0.022). Consistently high (in both baseline and follow-up evaluations) total meat consumption was associated with 2.55-fold (95% CI 1.27–5.12, p = 0.009) greater odds for new onset and/or persistence of NAFLD compared to consistently low meat consumption. A similar association was shown for consistently high consumption of red and/or processed meat (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.11–4.05, p = 0.022). Consistently high red and/or processed meat consumption was associated with 4.77-fold (95% CI 1.36–16.69, p = 0.014) greater odds for significant fibrosis compared to consistently low consumption. Minimizing the consumption of red and/or processed meat may help prevent NAFLD and significant fibrosis.

How much Meat do we eat? Estimating per Capita Meat Consumption in Germany based on a Market Balance Approach

Meat consumption has become increasingly relevant within the greater scientific, political, and public debate due to the variety of negative effects that it has on the environment, human health, and animal welfare. In Germany, the statistical basis for “direct consumption” entails uncertainties and is based on parameters dating back to 1987. The following study deals with an updated and revised estimate of the per capita consumption of pork, beef, and poultry in Germany, focusing on the supply-side. Unlike the original approach, the estimate is based on a mass flow analysis. It includes a survey at the slaughterhouse level, adjustments to external trade statistics, and assumptions on loss and waste at five different value chain stages. An average total per capita meat consumption of 65 kg is calculated for the year 2018. Thus, meat consumption has been underestimated by 4 kg per capita based on official statistics by overestimating waste, losses, and non-food uses. Our results provide information regarding per capita and total meat consumption, enable future projections, and give an overview of the use of meat outside the food chain. The approach used is discussed against the background of international comparability and applicability. In this way the study provides important indications for political decision-makers and contributes to more objectivity in the public debate on meat consumption.