Red Meat Facts

Though red meat is a good source of iron, protein and some vitamin Bs, large consumption of it is linked to breast, colon, stomach and prostate cancers as well as hypertension (high blood pressure) and arthritis. Cholesterol levels were also found to be higher in people consuming large amounts of red meat.

The culprit is the myoglobin and hemoglobin present in red meat.

As oppossed to the white meat (mostly chicken and fish), there is more myoglobin present in beef, pork, lamb and veal.These myoglobins once ingested convert into carcinogenics compounds in the gut. Another interesting research has shown that cooked meat is even more dangerous due to the the formation of carcinogenic compounds during the process of cooking.

It is ideal to include more fresh greens and fruits in our daily diet and stay away from steaks and burgers, though red meat consumed in moderation is acceptable.