Abstract
Meat is an important food for human nutrition, by especially providing high-quality protein and also some essential micronutrients, in front iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. However, a high intake of red and processed meat is associated with an increased risk for diseases, especially type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer, as several epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have shown. This review summarizes meta-analyses of publications studying the association between red and processed meat intake and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, colorectal and other cancers, and all-cause mortality. Various potential mechanisms involved in the increased disease risk are discussed. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of healthy alternatives for meat, like fish, nuts, vegetables and fruits, pulses and legumes, whole grains, and dairy products are reviewed by including selected papers and recent meta-analyses.
Keywords:
Red meat; cancer; cardiovascular disease; diabetes; disease; healthy foods; mortality; processed meat.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
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Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
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Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality
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Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
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Cattle
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Colorectal Neoplasms / epidemiology
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Colorectal Neoplasms / etiology*
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Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
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Colorectal Neoplasms / prevention & control
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / etiology*
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / mortality
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / prevention & control
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Diet, Healthy* / trends
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Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
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Dietary Proteins / analysis
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Evidence-Based Medicine*
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Food, Preserved / adverse effects
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Humans
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Iron, Dietary / administration & dosage
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Iron, Dietary / analysis
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Meat / adverse effects*
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Meat / analysis
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Meat Products / adverse effects
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Meta-Analysis as Topic
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Mortality
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Nutritive Value
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Risk Factors
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Sheep, Domestic
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Sus scrofa
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Vitamin B 12 / administration & dosage
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Vitamin B 12 / analysis
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Zinc / administration & dosage
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Zinc / analysis
Substances
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Dietary Proteins
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Iron, Dietary
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Zinc
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Vitamin B 12