Meat-eaters may have a higher risk of death, but plants are the answer

(CNN)Are you ready to take it easy with the burgers? A new protein-focused paper confirms that eating red meat may be linked to a higher risk of death.

However, replacing animal protein in your diet with plant protein is associated with a decreased risk of death, according to the research, which was published in JAMA Internal Medicine on Monday.

Scientists have long connected processed red meats with a wide spectrum of chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

 

Now, the new paper reveals that these associations may still exist when examining protein intake overall, said Dr. Mingyang Song, a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who served as lead author of the paper.

"While it is important to know how much protein people should consume to achieve the optimal health benefit, from a broad dietary perspective, what foods people choose to consume to get protein is equally important," Song said.

"Our findings have important public health implications," he added. "They can help refine the current dietary recommendations about protein intake and really get to the point that it is not only the amount but also the food sources of protein that are critical for long-term health."

Animal protein vs. plant protein

Song and his colleagues analyzed data on how much protein 131,342 adults across the country consumed in their daily diets.

The data, which came from the 32-year national Nurses' Health Study and the 26-year Health Professionals Follow-up Study at Harvard, assessed protein intake with frequent questionnaires that participants completed.

 

The researchers found that associations between protein intake and risk of death were confined to participants who had at least one unhealthy lifestyle habit or ailment, such as smoking, heavy drinking, obesity or physical inactivity.

Specifically, a 10% increase in animal protein intake was linked to a 2% increase in overall mortality and 8% increase in risk of cardiovascular-related death, Song said. However, a 3% increase in plant protein intake was linked to a 10% decrease in overall mortality and a 12% decrease in cardiovascular mortality.

Why animal protein is linked to mortality and plant protein is linked to a lower risk of death remains largely a mystery, Song said.

"But high animal protein intake has been linked to higher levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, a protein that has been linked to worse health outcomes, whereas high plant protein intake has been associated with lower blood pressure ... and improved insulin sensitivity," Song said.

 

 

"Alternatively, it is possible that other components in the foods than protein per se may be the culprit," he added. "For example, processed red meat is high in sodium, nitrites and nitrates, which have all been linked to worse health outcomes."

The U.S. government's 2015-20 dietary guidelines recommend a diet with limited saturated fat, less sodium and more vegetables and whole grains.

Foods that pack a punch of plant protein

If scientists could compare individuals who consume only animal-based protein with those who consume only plant-based protein, that could provide a clearer understanding of how such diets affect the risk of mortality -- but that is not how most Americans eat, said Kim Robien, associate professor of exercise and nutrition science at George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health, who was not involved in the new paper.

"Most study participants ate a varied diet over the course of the observation period that included both plant and animal proteins," Robien said of the research.

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"The findings confirm what we have been observing from studies using different research approaches," she added. "People who consume their dietary protein primarily from plant foods would be expected to be better able to maintain a healthy weight and have lower risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancers."

So then, what can you consume to replace animal protein with plant protein in your daily diet?

"The good food sources would be whole-grain bread, cereals, nuts and legumes," Song said. "Although we didn't look at soy in our study because its consumption is very low in the United States, there is evidence supporting that soy may be a good protein source for health."

Looks legit to me and fits honestly 🤷‍♂️ 

1 hour ago, HSR said:

I'm here to have fun like the rest of the members or are you one of these snowflakes that thinks admin should abide by a different set of rules??? If so write the rules please.

This is Freedomsledder  not your beloved HCS so if things are too rough for you,,,,,,,,,too bad 

I remember when  mods would slap down FS over at HCS and I'm NOT saying YOU cuz I can't remember who.  I have no love for HCS at all anymore, those days are gone but I sure had fun in the old days. Canada is nothing without the US you know it and I know it.  

But if you say so snowflake ok. 

 

Edited May 4, 20223 yr by Badger**

48 minutes ago, Polaris 550 said:

Hey everybody. This is the FAKE ACCOUNT. 

So you are saying you are fake.  We knew that already dumbass.

HSR does not like this when you guys do this so please stop. 

 

1 hour ago, Badger** said:

I remember when  mods would slap down FS over at HCS and I'm NOT saying YOU cuz I can't remember who.  I have no love for HCS at all anymore, those days are gone but I sure had fun in the old days. Canada is nothing without the US you know it and I know it.  

But if you say so snowflake ok. 

 

So not gonna answer my question,,,gotcha Quit pretending you know what the mods thought on HCS,,,you'd be disappointed 

5 minutes ago, Badger** said:

HSR does not like this when you guys do this so please stop. 

 

HOLY SHIT!!!!! Are you bragging about getting "likes"  You're like a teenage girl on Facebook !!!!! Gotta get them likes or else!!!!! I'm dying here 

1 hour ago, HSR said:

So not gonna answer my question,,,gotcha Quit pretending you know what the mods thought on HCS,,,you'd be disappointed 

HOLY SHIT!!!!! Are you bragging about getting "likes"  You're like a teenage girl on Facebook !!!!! Gotta get them likes or else!!!!! I'm dying here 

I can do what ever I like I am an American we don't take shit from Canadian Homos.  Ya fucking hockey puck.  

Like I said please stop as you can see it triggers HSR  

 

 

Edited May 4, 20223 yr by Badger**

44 minutes ago, Badger** said:

I can do what ever I like I am an American we don't take shit from Canadian Homos.  Ya fucking hockey puck.  

Like I said please stop as you can see it triggers HSR  

 

 

Nahhh you turn into a flaming liberal and put me on ignore. Now THAT'S triggered  Me I'm my ass off here.

36 minutes ago, HSR said:

Nahhh you turn into a flaming liberal and put me on ignore. Now THAT'S triggered  Me I'm my ass off here.

What,, half the site has you on ignorant. 

Edited May 4, 20223 yr by Badger**

1 minute ago, Badger** said:

What,, half the site have you on ignorant. 

Do you mean Ignore??? Half the site does eh? 

Why do you make shit up like a child?? We're not in grade school. 

1 hour ago, Badger** said:

I can do what ever I like I am an American we don't take shit from Canadian Homos.  Ya fucking hockey puck.  

Like I said please stop as you can see it triggers HSR  

 

 

Hey wow, what a great post Badge!!! 

Wow, you sure do post great pics BADGE!!!   

You must be rich, aren't you??? 

Yeah, you are!     

2 minutes ago, Polaris 550 said:

Hey wow, what a great post Badge!!! 

Wow, you sure do post great pics BADGE!!!   

You must be rich, aren't you??? 

Yeah, you are!     

Helluva reacharound 

3 hours ago, 800renegaderider said:

Looks legit to me and fits honestly 🤷‍♂️ 

How about I fit a PORTO-POWER RAM up your ass? 

3 minutes ago, Polaris 550 said:

How about I fit a PORTO-POWER RAM up your ass? 

Geez more gay offers from znotty.  You must sure like men's asses.

21 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

Geez more gay offers from znotty.  You must sure like men's asses.

You have no idea 

37 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

Geez more gay offers from znotty.  You must sure like men's asses.

I know you do, but what do I??? To infinity. 

16 minutes ago, Polaris 55O said:

You have no idea 

Am I THAT BIG on this site, that ya' make a dupe of me?? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I guess I am!! 

1 hour ago, Polaris 550 said:

I know you do, but what do I??? To infinity. 

Ah, you have no reverted from your normal 6th grade comebacks to 1st grade.  You are heading in the wrong direction.  I hear that happens when you get old...

1 hour ago, HSR said:

Do you mean Ignore??? Half the site does eh? 

Why do you make shit up like a child?? We're not in grade school. 

Shut the fuck up Sally, I'm fucking you like you do with me, yes I meant ignorant. Stop being a Sally and suck it up, now pic up your mangina and stop crying.  

Do you guys know what's behind this " MEAT IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH "  agenda???  

On 8/1/2016 at 7:52 PM, Kivalo said:

If I can't have steak then kill me now.

How about some Sweet Italian Sausage? I'll give ya' some, Kivvie.   

22 minutes ago, Badger** said:

Shut the fuck up Sally, I'm fucking you like you do with me, yes I meant ignorant. Stop being a Sally and suck it up, now pic up your mangina and stop crying.  

Who's crying  Jebus you trigger easy

6 minutes ago, Polaris 550 said:

How about some Sweet Italian Sausage? I'll give ya' some, Kivvie.   

OK now ,,,,is this supposed to sound gay????Cuz it sounds really gay??? I had to check if it was you or your dupe.

26 minutes ago, HSR said:

OK now ,,,,is this supposed to sound gay????Cuz it sounds really gay??? I had to check if it was you or your dupe.

It's him.  He LOVES gay stuff.  Talks about it ALL the time.

 

1 hour ago, HSR said:

Who's crying  Jebus you trigger easy

OK now ,,,,is this supposed to sound gay????Cuz it sounds really gay??? I had to check if it was you or your dupe.

 

39 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

It's him.  He LOVES gay stuff.  Talks about it ALL the time.

WTF are you two trouser pilots talkin' about!!!!!!!!

I just made some spaghetti with some chicken and sausage. WTF!!

I swear ta' God, you boys play for the other team.  

1 hour ago, HSR said:

Who's crying  Jebus you trigger easy

OK now ,,,,is this supposed to sound gay????Cuz it sounds really gay??? I had to check if it was you or your dupe.

 

52 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

It's him.  He LOVES gay stuff.  Talks about it ALL the time.

Oh Stevie, your pal Deepy is callin'!!!