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Purpose To determine the association between red meat (RM), processed red meat (PRM) and total red and processed red meat (TRPRM) consumption on nutritional adequacy and markers of health and cardio-metabolic diseases in British adults. Methods In this cross-sectional study of adults (19–64 y) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) (n = 1758), RM and PRM consumption were assessed from 4 day estimated food diaries. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP), plasma glucose, HbA1c, C-reactive protein, TAG, TC, LDL-C and HDL-C from the NDNS were used. Results 43% of adults (men 57% and women 31%) consumed more than the 70 g/d TRPRM guidelines. Fewer adults in the highest tertile of TRPRM intake were below lower reference nutrient intakes (LRNIs), particularly for zinc and iron, respectively. In model 3 (controlled for age, energy intake, socioeconomic classification, number of daily cigarettes, BMI, dietary factors), higher RM consumption was associated with being significantly taller (model 3: P-ANCOVA = 0.006; P-T3/T1 = 0.0004) in men and lower diastolic BP (model 3: P-ANCOVA = 0.004; P-T3/T2 = 0.002) in women. Higher PRM in men was associated with significantly higher plasma ferritin concentration (model 3: P-ANCOVA = 0.0001; P-T2/T1 = 0.0001), being taller (P-ANCOVA = 0.019; P-T1/T2 = 0.047, T1/T3 = 0.044), increased body weight (model 3: P-ANCOVA = 0.001; P-T1/T3 = 0.0001), BMI (model 3: P-ANCOVA = 0.007; P-T1/T3 = 0.006) and smaller hip circumference (model 3: P-ANCOVA = 0.006; P-T3/T1 = 0.024; P-T2/T1 = 0.013) and in women significantly higher TC (model 3: P-ANCOVA = 0.020; P-T3/T2 = 0.016), LDL-C (P-ANCOVA = 0.030; P-T3/T2 = 0.025), HbA1c (model 3: P-ANCOVA = 0.0001; P-T2/T1 = 0.001; P-T3/T2 = 0.001) and higher PP (model 3: P-ANCOVA = 0.022; P-T3/T1 = 0.021). Higher PRM consumption was associated with significantly higher BMI and hip circumference in men, and higher TC, LDL-C, HbA1c and PP in women, which was not observed for RM consumption.

Aims/hypothesis Previous evidence linking red meat consumption with diabetes risk mainly came from western countries, with little evidence from China, where patterns of meat consumption are different. Moreover, global evidence remains inconclusive about the associations of poultry and fish consumption with diabetes. Therefore we investigated the associations of red meat, poultry and fish intake with incidence of diabetes in a Chinese population. Methods The prospective China Kadoorie Biobank recruited ~512,000 adults (59% women, mean age 51 years) from ten rural and urban areas across China in 2004–2008. At the baseline survey, a validated interviewer-administered laptop-based questionnaire was used to collect information on the consumption frequency of major food groups including red meat, poultry, fish, fresh fruit and several others. During ~9 years of follow-up, 14,931 incidences of new-onset diabetes were recorded among 461,036 participants who had no prior diabetes, cardiovascular diseases or cancer at baseline. Cox regression analyses were performed to calculate adjusted HRs for incident diabetes associated with red meat, poultry and fish intake. Results At baseline, 47.0%, 1.3% and 8.9% of participants reported a regular consumption (i.e. ≥4 days/week) of red meat, poultry and fish, respectively. After adjusting for adiposity and other potential confounders, each 50 g/day increase in red meat and fish intake was associated with 11% (HR 1.11 [95% CI 1.04, 1.20]) and 6% (HR 1.06 [95% CI 1.00, 1.13]) higher risk of incident diabetes, respectively. For both, the associations were more pronounced among men and women from urban areas, with an HR (95% CI) of 1.42 (1.15, 1.74) and 1.18 (1.03, 1.36), respectively, per 50 g/day red meat intake and 1.15 (1.02, 1.30) and 1.11 (1.01, 1.23), respectively, per 50 g/day fish intake. There was no significant association between diabetes and poultry intake, either overall (HR 0.96 [95% CI 0.83, 1.12] per 50 g/day intake) or in specific population subgroups. Conclusions/interpretation In Chinese adults, both red meat and fish, but not poultry, intake were positively associated with diabetes risk, particularly among urban participants. Our findings add new evidence linking red meat and fish intake with cardiometabolic diseases. Data availability Details of how to access the China Kadoorie Biobank data and rules of China Kadoorie Biobank data release are available from www.ckbiobank.org/site/Data+Access.

There are many risk factors for inguinal hernia that have been determined in the literature, but the relationship between nutritional status and inguinal hernia has not yet been examined. In this study, we evaluated the constipation scale and food consumption of patients with inguinal hernia. This prospective case–control study was performed between March 2018 and March 2019. The patients who were admitted for inguinal hernia operation were the case group, and those patients who had been admitted to the same hospital without inguinal hernia were the control group. The age, body mass index, alcohol and smoking habits, daily activity, and the Wexner constipation scoring were examined using a questionnaire and 3-day food consumption records were noted. A total of 203 volunteers were included in the study. Of these, 88 patients were in the control group, and 115 patients were in the case group. The age and gender distribution of the groups was similar. Cigarette and alcohol usages are statistically high in the case group. The Wexner constipation scale of the groups was statistically high in the case group. In the univariate analysis, smoking, alcohol consumption, total constipation score, red meat consumption, chicken consumption, bread consumption, low fiber consumption, low egg consumption, low carbohydrate, and low energy intake were effective in hernia formation, and in the multivariate analysis, total constipation score, red meat consumption, chicken consumption, excess bread consumption, low energy intake, and low fiber consumption were significant as independent variables. Our study is the first to evaluate whether there is a relationship between inguinal hernia and nutrition, according to the literature. Lifestyle modifications and a healthy diet with the consumption of less meat and more vegetables may have an impact on the reduction of hernia occurrence.

Background Consumption of a diet with high adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern (MDP) has been associated with a favorable gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiome. A healthy GIT microbiome in pregnancy, as defined by increased alpha diversity, is associated with lower chance of adverse perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of adherence to an MDP on GIT microbial diversity longitudinally throughout pregnancy. Methods Adherence to MDP was scored by the Alternate Mediterranean (aMED) Diet Quality Score, after being applied to a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. Association of aMED Scores with GIT alpha diversity profiles were compared linearly and across time using a linear mixed model, including covariates of age, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, and parity. Results Forty-one participants of Filipino, Japanese, Native Hawaiian, and Non-Hispanic White descent provided dietary information and microbiome samples during each trimester of pregnancy. Alpha diversity profiles changed over gestation, with decreased microbial diversity in the third trimester. aMED scores positively correlated with Chao1 Index and Observed Species Number (r = 0.244, p = 0.017, and r = 0.233, p = 0.023, respectively). The strongest association was detected in the third trimester (Chao 1: r = 0.43, p = 0.020, Observed Species Number: r = 0.41, p = 0.026). Participants with higher aMED scores had higher relative abundance of Acidaminoacaeae at the family level (p = 0.0169), as well as higher abundance of several species known to increase production of short chain fatty acids within the GIT. Conclusions Adherence to MDP pattern is associated with increased maternal GIT microbial diversity, and promotes the abundance of bacteria that produce short chain fatty acids. Increased consumption of fruits, vegetables and legumes with low red meat consumption were key components driving this association. The effect of nutrition however, was less of an effect than pregnancy itself. Further studies are needed to determine if adherence to a Mediterranean diet translates not only into microbial health, but also into reduced risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Several epidemiologic investigations have found associations between the consumption of red meat and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Very few studies have looked at populations undergoing the nutrition transition with smaller levels of red meat consumption than those in Westernized countries. In this population-based cross-sectional study, we examined the association between red meat consumption and MetS in Costa Rican adults, a population with comparably lower consumption of red meat. Prevalence ratios (PRs) of MetS across quintiles of total, unprocessed, and processed red meat consumption were estimated with log-binomial regression models among 2058 adults from the Costa Rican Heart Study. Least-squares mean values of individual components of MetS across quintiles of red meat consumption were estimated with linear regression models. We observed a significant positive association between total red meat consumption and MetS (PR for highest compared to lowest quintile: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.42; P for trend = 0.0113) but not for unprocessed or processed red meat consumption when analyzed separately after mutual adjustments. We additionally observed a significant positive association between total, unprocessed, and processed red meat consumption and abdominal obesity. In this Hispanic population undergoing the nutrition transition, total red meat intake may have an impact on MetS. Based on the relatively low consumption of red meat in Costa Rica compared to other Westernized countries, we hypothesize that a “threshold effect” may exist for unprocessed and processed red meat.

Traditional Mediterranean diet is known for its health benefits in prevention of cardio-metabolic diseases and risk factors associated with it. The role of red meat in Mediterranean diet is to some extent overlooked with the main focus on foods of plant origin. The majority of existing guidelines encourage general population to limit intakes of red meat. However, in reality, it is a significant part of the Mediterranean cuisine. Red meat is an excellent source of macro and micronutrients: high-quality protein, B vitamins, essential amino acids, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and selenium. Currently, there is not enough scientific evidence to suggest the strict limitation of the red meat consumption among the general population, however, there is a substantial evidence to support the advice to eliminate the consumption of processed meat from the diet.

Accumulating evidence has implicated dietary factors as important risks for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development, but analyses of the effects of red meat consumption on RA have yielded diverging results. The aim of this study was to explore the association between red meat and RA in a large-scale, cross-sectional study. From June to December 2016, a total of 733 patients were investigated, from which 707 participants were included in the analysis. These patients were divided into two groups according to their consumption of red meat (p = 0.02) and had higher BMI (p = 0.003). The age at disease onset for the high-intake patients was 6.46 years earlier than for low-intake patients, after adjustment for demographic and other possible confounders (β = − 6.46, 95% CI − 9.77, − 3.15; p = 0.0001). Further, stratified analyses showed that this inverse association of red meat intake with RA onset age was especially evident in smokers and overweight patients (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2). In conclusion, high-intake red meat is associated with early onset of RA, especially in smokers or overweight patients. The findings indicate that eating less red meat could be a recommendation given to patients at risk for RA development.

Few studies have evaluated the effects of processed red meat (PRM) consumption on chronic disease risk, especially among low average PRM consumption populations. This study examined association between PRM intake and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidences in Korea. Participants (n = 10,030; aged 40–69 years) were recruited from the Ansan–Ansung cohort study, a subset of Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. Validated 103-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary information, at baseline (2001–2002) and at second follow-up (2005–2006). T2DM and CVD incidences were identified using biennial questionnaire-based interview during a 10-year follow-up period. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to calculate multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Over the 10-year follow-up period, 668 and 493 incident cases of T2DM (62,130 person-years) and CVD (63,150 person-years), respectively, were documented. In crude models, comparing the highest and lowest levels of PRM intake, no significant association occurred with incident T2DM [HR, 95% CI (0.94, 0.76–1.17)], while significant association occurred with incident CVD (0.67, 0.51–0.88). However, in adjusted models, this association was no longer significant, showing HRs (95% CI) of PRM intake for T2DM and CVD of 1.07 (0.85–1.35) and 1.14 (0.85–1.55), respectively. PRM intake did not affect T2DM and CVD incidences among Korean middle-aged adults, although extremely low average consumption of PRM may explain the finding. Therefore, limiting PRM intake may not be a top priority for the prevention of chronic diseases in Korean population.

Purpose Limited studies have examined red meat consumption in relation to risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and none have examined the impact of long-term diet on COPD risk. We sought to investigate the association between long-term red meat consumption and risk of COPD. Methods The population-based prospective Swedish Mammography Cohort included 34,053 women, aged 48–83 years, followed for the current analyses from 2002 to 2014. Unprocessed and processed red meat consumption was assessed with a self-administered questionnaire in 1987 and 1997. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Over a mean follow-up of 11.6 years (2002–2014; 393,831 person-years), 1488 COPD cases were ascertained via linkage to the Swedish health registers. A positive association between long-term processed red meat (average from 1987 to 1997) and risk of COPD was observed. In contrast, no association was observed with unprocessed red meat with corresponding HRs of 1.36 (95% CI 1.03–1.79) for processed and 0.87 (95% CI 0.74–1.02) for unprocessed red meat among women who consumed ≥ 50 g/day compared to

We assessed the association of total meat, processed, and unprocessed red meat and iron intake with the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women. We conducted a prospective study among 3298 disease-free Spanish women participants of the SUN cohort who reported at least one pregnancy between December 1999 and March 2012. Meat consumption and iron intake were assessed at baseline through a validated, 136-item semi-quantitative, food frequency questionnaire. We categorized total, red, and processed meat consumption and iron intake into quartiles. Logistic regression models were used to adjust for potential confounders. We identified 172 incident cases of GDM. In the fully adjusted analysis, total meat consumption was significantly associated with a higher risk of GDM [OR = 1.67 (95% CI 1.06–2.63, p-trend 0.010)] for the highest versus the lowest quartile of consumption. The observed associations were particularly strong for red meat consumption [OR = 2.37 (95% CI 1.49–3.78, p-trend

To examine the role of red meat consumption, especially heme iron intake, and risk for diabetes and its comorbidities. Studies consistently show that consumption of red meat has been contributory to a multitude of chronic conditions such as diabetes, CVD, and malignancies. There are various emerging reasons that strengthen this link—from the basic constituents of red meat like the heme iron component, the metabolic reactions that take place after consumption, and finally to the methods used to cook it. The causative links show that even occasional use raises the risk of T2DM. Prior studies show how nitrites and nitrates in red meat can lead to increased insulin resistance, dysregulated blood glucose levels, and elevated oxidative stress all leading to chronic diseases. With the rise in these preventable chronic diseases, we examine how disease-causing links can be eliminated with appropriate lifestyle choices.

Epidemiological research has demonstrated that the consumption of red meat is an important risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. However, there is no holistic insight in the (by-) products of meat digestion that may contribute to disease development. To address this hiatus, an untargeted mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics approach was used to create red versus white meat associated metabolic fingerprints following in vitro colonic digestion using the fecal inocula of ten healthy volunteers. Twenty-two metabolites were unequivocally associated with simulated colonic digestion of red meat. Several of these metabolites could mechanistically be linked to red meat-associated pathways including N’-formylkynurenine, kynurenine and kynurenic acid (all involved in tryptophan metabolism), the oxidative stress marker dityrosine, and 3-dehydroxycarnitine. In conclusion, the used MS-based metabolomics platform proved to be a powerful platform for detection of specific metabolites that improve the understanding of the causal relationship between red meat consumption and associated diseases.

The association of red meat consumption with the risk of stomach cancer has been reported by many studies, with inconclusive results. We performed a meta-analysis of cohort and case–control studies to provide a quantitative assessment of this association. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase before December 2013 without restrictions. A total of 18 studies involving 1,228,327 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. Summary relative risks were estimated using random effects models. The pooled relative risks of gastric cancer were 1.37 (95 % CI 1.18–1.59) for the highest versus lowest categories of red meat intake with significant heterogeneity among studies (P heterogeneity

Prostate cancer remains a significant public health concern among men in the U.S. and worldwide. Epidemiologic studies have generally produced inconclusive results for dietary risk factors for prostate cancer, including consumption of red and processed meats. We aimed to update a previous meta-analysis of prospective cohorts of red and processed meats and prostate cancer with the inclusion of new and updated cohort studies, as well as evaluate meat cooking methods, heme iron, and heterocyclic amine (HCA) intake exposure data. A comprehensive literature search was performed and 26 publications from 19 different cohort studies were included. Random effects models were used to calculate summary relative risk estimates (SRREs) for high vs. low exposure categories. Additionally, meta-regression analyses and stratified intake analyses were conducted to evaluate dose-response relationships. The SRREs for total prostate cancer and total red meat consumption, fresh red meat consumption, and processed meat consumption were 1.02 (95 % CI: 0.92–1.12), 1.06 (95 % CI: 0.97–1.16), and 1.05 (95 % CI: 1.01–1.10), respectively. Analyses were also conducted for the outcomes of non-advanced, advanced, and fatal prostate cancer when sufficient data were available, but these analyses did not produce significant results. No significant SRREs were observed for any of the meat cooking methods, HCA, or heme iron analyses. Dose-response analyses did not reveal significant patterns of associations between red or processed meat and prostate cancer. In conclusion, the results from our analyses do not support an association between red meat or processed consumption and prostate cancer, although we observed a weak positive summary estimate for processed meats.

Colon cancer rates are rising dramatically in once low incidence nations. These nations are undergoing rapid economic development and are known as “nations in transition” (NIT). This review identifies some of the most common etiological risk factors of colon cancer in these nations and evaluates the existing epidemiological evidence. The main risk factors which were found to be prevalent in NIT include: lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity, obesity and abdominal adiposity, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking; dietary factors such as fatty food and red meat consumption. Protective factors included white meat and fiber consumption. Several studies found to have significantly higher rates of colon cancer among the young population (

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today and is the most common cancer among women. Although a number of risk factors such as genetics, family history, parity, age at first birth, and age at menarche and menopause have been established, most are difficult to modify. Diet, however, is a potentially modifiable approach for prevention and a variety of dietary patterns have been examined with respect to their role in breast cancer. One such dietary factor is red meat consumption. Red meat intake has been hypothesized to increase breast cancer risk but while both case-control and ecologic studies have supported a positive association, prospective cohort studies have been inconsistent. One explanation for this inconsistency may be related to menopausal status. We performed a meta-analysis on the association between breast cancer risk and red meat consumption in premenopausal women. A total of ten studies were identified. The summary relative risk was 1.24 (95% CI 1.08-1.42). Case-control studies (N = 7) had a risk of 1.57 (95% CI 1.23-1.99), while cohort studies (N = 3) had a summary relative risk of 1.11 (95% CI 0.94-1.31).

Background Tobacco smoking and red meat consumption are some of the known risk factors associated with the development of oesophageal cancer. N-acetytransferases (NAT1 and NAT2) play a key role in metabolism of carcinogenic arylamines present in tobacco smoke and overcooked red meat. We hypothesized that NAT1 and NAT2 genetic polymorphisms may influence the risk of oesophageal cancer upon exposure to environmental carcinogens. Methods Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NAT1 and NAT2 genes were investigated by genotyping 732 cases and 768 healthy individuals from two South African populations to deduce the acetylator phenotype (slow, intermediate or rapid) from the combination of the genotyped SNPs. Results The 341 CC genotype (rs1801280) was significantly associated with a reduced risk for oesophageal cancer in the Mixed Ancestry population (OR = 0.31; 95% CI 0.11-0.87). The NAT2 slow/intermediate acetylator status significantly increased the risk among cigarette smokers in the Black population (OR = 2.76; 95% CI 1.69-4.52), as well as among alcohol drinkers in the Mixed Ancestry population (OR = 2.77; 95% CI 1.38-5.58). Similarly, the NAT1 slow/intermediate acetylator status was a risk factor for tobacco smokers in the Black population (OR = 3.41; 95% CI 1.95-5.96) and for alcohol drinkers in the Mixed Ancestry population (OR = 3.41; 95% CI 1.70-6.81). In a case-only analysis, frequent red meat consumption was associated with a significantly increased cancer risk for NAT2 slow/intermediate acetylators in the Mixed Ancestry population (OR = 3.55; 95% CI 1.29-9.82; P = 0.019), whereas daily white meat intake was associated with an increased risk among NAT1 slow/intermediate acetylators in the Black population (OR = 1.82; 95% CI 1.09-3.04; P = 0.023). Conclusions Our findings indicate that N-acetylation polymorphisms may modify the association between environmental risk factors and oesophageal cancer risk and that N-acetyltransferases may play a key role in detoxification of carcinogens. Prevention strategies in lifestyle and dietary habits may reduce the incidence of oesophageal cancer in high-risk populations.

High consumption of red meat is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but the causality of the association is difficult to prove. Nevertheless, the findings of a large study of changes in red meat consumption add important evidence, consistent with causality of this association.

This article discusses the potential health benefits and risks associated with human consumption of red meat, with a focus on its relevance to the Paleolithic diet. Topics include the history of humans' increased consumption of meat following advancements such as the discovery of using fire to cook and the creation of arrowheads, the ways that modern humans' exercise and lifestyle habits drastically differ from those of ancient humans with regards to necessary caloric consumption, and several studies from research teams at Harvard University aimed at reevaluating the link between increased red meat consumption and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

In a population-based case-control study of women in Missouri (United States), most of whom were smokers, we obtained information on adult diet to evaluate the effects of dietary fats in relation to lung cancer risk. All newly diagnosed, primary lung cancer cases among women 35 to 84 years of age reported to the Missouri Cancer Registry from 1 January 1993 to 31 January1994 were invited to participate, as were population-based controls. The analysis focused on interviews obtained from 624 controls and 587 cases. In-person interviews were obtained from 99.0 percent of controls and 60.6percent of cases. Age and energy-adjusted relative risks suggested a direct relation between risk of lung cancer and intake of dietary fats (e.g., total fat, saturated fat) and frequency of meat consumption. After adjusting for confounders, dietary fats were no longer associated with risk, but the adverse effect of frequent consumption of meat persisted. Risk was elevated about 90 percent (95 per cent confidence interval = 1.2-3.0) among women in the highest quintile of red meat intake compared with those in the lowest quintile. Risk estimates associated with red meat consumption, however, were dependent on interview status; the effect was restricted to cases whose dietary information was provided by proxy. In summary, after adjusting for potential confounders and removing data obtained from proxy respondents, dietary fats and consumption of red meat were not associated with lung cancer risk among women in Missouri.

Nutrition: Red meat consumption leads to a microbiota-dependent risk of cardiovascular disease

We performed a survival analysis to assess the effect of meat consumption and meat type on the risk of breast cancer in the UK Women's Cohort Study. Between 1995 and 1998 a cohort of 35 372 women was recruited, aged between 35 and 69 years with a wide range of dietary intakes, assessed by a 217-item food frequency questionnaire. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using Cox regression adjusted for known confounders. High consumption of total meat compared with none was associated with premenopausal breast cancer, HR=1.20 (95% CI: 0.86–1.68), and high non-processed meat intake compared with none, HR=1.20 (95% CI: 0.86–1.68). Larger effect sizes were found in postmenopausal women for all meat types, with significant associations with total, processed and red meat consumption. Processed meat showed the strongest HR=1.64 (95% CI: 1.14–2.37) for high consumption compared with none. Women, both pre- and postmenopausal, who consumed the most meat had the highest risk of breast cancer.