Most of us believe that white meat is better for consumption than red meat. White meat (poultry) is believed to be better for health, while red meat is known to increase the risks of various diseases, including heart related disease. Unfortunately, this belief is denied by the results of a study conducted by the Children 's Hospital Oakland Research Institute.
According to the study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, white meat can also increase the level of bad cholesterol in the body. Moreover, the increase is known to be identical to the results caused by red meat, with the same saturated fat content. Saturated fat can increase the concentration of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) which is a type of bad cholesterol in the body.
In the study, the researchers observed adult men and women aged 21-65 years. Randomly, participants were divided into three groups; red meat, white meat, and non-meat protein diets. The treatment lasts for 4 weeks. After the treatment period, each participant was asked to undergo a series of tests to determine the level of LDL and HDL in the body.
The researchers explained that the results they got could change people's views in having a good diet to maintain a healthy body. When compared with red meat or white meat, consuming non-meat protein is much better for health. For those of you who have a history of cholesterol or other heart related diseases, it is recommended that you consume more non-meat proteins such as vegetables, milk or nuts.
Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay
Source(s):
- Bergeron, N., Chiu, S., Krauss, R.M., et all (2019). Effects of red meat, white meat, and other protein sources in atherogenic lipoprotein measures in context of low tea compared with high saturated fat intake: a randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqz035.
- Science Daily - Red and white meats are equally bad for cholesterol (2019). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190604084840.htm, 12 June 2019.