Do you like meat? This is what happens to your body when you eat it every day
Meat is a good source of protein, iron, and other nutrients. However, consuming too much of this product may have a negative impact on our health.
Many of us regularly reach for meat in our diet, sometimes without even realizing the potential consequences. Meat is present on our tables in various forms - as a main dish, a supplement in the form of cold cuts on sandwiches, or sausage on the grill. But have we ever wondered how much meat we should really consume, and also, what type of meat is most beneficial for health?
For years, scientists have been emphasizing the need to limit meat consumption, particularly in the context of processed meat. They discovered that excessively high meat consumption can adversely affect our health, especially in the case of processed products. What happens to our bodies when we eat meat every day? The answers to this question might be surprising to many.
Meat increases the risk of developing serious diseases
Consuming meat too frequently, especially processed meats such as deli meats, sausages, and hot dogs, can lead to serious health problems. Scientists have noticed that people who regularly consume red and processed meats (e.g. deli meats) may be at a higher risk of various diseases.
A study conducted by scientists from the University of Oxford focused on over 500,000 patients in the United Kingdom for a period of 8 years. Unfortunately, the results were not too optimistic. If you eat processed meat every day, you are more likely to get colorectal cancer, Alzheimer 's disease, Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and a stroke.
Studies have shown that eating meat can affect our weight. People who consume meat regularly often gain weight. The study showed that people eating 0.55 lbs of meat daily can put on an average of 4.4 lbs more compared to those who do not eat meat, but consume the same number of calories. Processed meat had the greatest impact on weight gain.
But meat also has its good sides!
It is a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle building and regeneration. It is also a source of iron, which is important for the proper functioning of the circulatory system.
How to limit the risk of harmful effects of meat?
- Limit your consumption of processed meat to a minimum. Processed meat is more harmful than fresh meat.
- Choose lean meat, such as poultry, turkey, or fish. Lean meat has fewer calories and less fat.
- Limit the consumption of fat from meat, for example, by boiling it or steaming it. Meat cooked in water or steamed has less fat than fried or roasted meat.
- Consume meat in limited quantities, for example, no more than twice a week.
