Red meat is essential for nutrients
Lean red meat is known to have numerous health benefits, providing key nutrients for a healthy lifestyle.
The Meat Advisory Panel this week want to reaffirm the need for red meat in the diet in response to the launche of a new alliance supported by celebrity chef, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, which suggests that eating ‘less and better’ meat is healthier.
Commenting on this latest launch, Dr Carrie Ruxton from The Meat Advisory Panel (MAP) explains: "Meat has a valuable role to play as part of a healthy balanced diet, which is recognised by the Department of Health in its advice to consume 70 grams a day. Red meat intakes in the UK are not high (only 76g on average day) and most UK consumers have intakes well within acceptable limits."
Research has also shown that eating red meat doesn't cause heart disease or cancer.
Current average consumption of red meat in the UK is in line with the Department of Health recommendations and as a result, most people do not need to reduce their intake.
Dr Carrie Ruxton continues: “Government dietary surveys continue to demonstrate that diets in the UK across the age spectrum are worryingly low in some nutrients commonly found in meat, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium and potassium. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) reports that 20-40% of women have low iron intakes compared with recommendations, and there is evidence of iron deficiency and poor iron status in women and girls.
“Of note is a new review which has found that including lean red meat in diets across the age spectrum, from infanthood to old age, may help to narrow the present gap between recommended levels and current vitamin and mineral intakes. In addition, the evidence suggests that nutrients commonly found in red meat play a role in supporting cognitive function, immune health and addressing iron deficiency.”
“Red meat - defined as beef, veal, pork and lamb, which is fresh, minced or frozen – is a source of essential micronutrients. In particular, red meat is the main source of haem iron – the type of iron that is best absorbed - and data show that average iron intakes in the UK are inadequate, especially among women and girls.”
“With regards to other nutrients, beef and lamb are classed as a ‘rich source’ – more than 30% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) -of vitamin B3 (niacin), B12 (cyanocobalamin) and zinc. It is also a ‘source’ – 15% or more of the RDA - of potassium and phosphorous. Pork is a ‘rich source’ of vitamin B1 (thiamin).”
Dr Carrie Ruxton adds: “The frequent claims made in the media that red meat causes cancer and cardiovascular disease are misleading as studies evaluating these links are either animal studies or epidemiological research conducted in the US where livestock are intensively reared and meat intakes are much higher. Such studies can’t be used to prove causation in people with moderate intakes of mainly grass-fed animals as is the case in the UK. It is noteworthy that several randomised controlled trials have found similar beneficial effects on cholesterol and blood pressure when low and higher red meat diets are compared – as long as the red meat is eaten as part of a healthy balanced diet.”
In summary, Dr Carrie Ruxton from MAP says: “Red meat plays an important part in a balanced diet. Red meat supplies crucial nutrients, such as iron and zinc in a highly available form, which are often lacking in the British diet. Lean red meat can provide the nutrients needed to make up the dietary shortfall frequently observed in UK diets today."
Tagged in Nutrition Diet Healthy eating Healthy Food