Meat may be bad for you

shutterstock.com

RED MEAT: excessive consumption may lead to atherosclerosis

THERE are a number of reasons why it is probably a good idea to go vegetarian and swap that steak for a salad.

Eating meat may harden your blood vessels. Some studies have found that a compound found in red meat – carnitine – may cause the hardening or clogging of the arteries, otherwise known as atherosclerosis. It is no secret that some red meats are high in saturated fat, which increases LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.

Furthermore, eating meat increases your risk of developing type two diabetes. According to endocrinologist Dan Nadeau at Hoag Hospital in Irvine, California, 3.5 ounces of red meat daily lead to a 19 per cent increase in diabetes risk.

In addition, meat has been found to be rich in iron and, if eaten in excess, iron can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, at least according to a study conducted at UCLA. Moreover, excessive consumption of red meat may increase the risk of colorectal cancer in some people.

But it is not just that; meat has been found to impact the environment more than any other food humans eat. Livestock require considerably more land, food, water and energy than plants to raise. In fact, it is estimated that producing a quarter pound hamburger requires at least six pounds of grain and forage, 52 gallons of drinking water and 74 square feet for grazing.

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Euro Weekly News Media

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments