Among those who have become conscious of their diet, red meat has gained a bad reputation as it is associated with anything that is fattening. From how it impacts climate change to how it changes the human body, eating red meat comes with several serious health consequences. However, in a recent study conducted by scientists from the University of California in San Francisco, it was suggested that white meat has gotten off the health issues all to fast.
The data collected for the study was based on the randomized controlled trial. The results were published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and it states that both red and white meat increases the level of low-density lipoprotein more than if the person lives on a plant-based diet. LDLs are more popularly known as the "bad" cholesterol primarily because it contributes to possible build-up of materials that could clog the arteries.
While the overall effect of cholesterol from meat is in line with the earlier findings, Dr. Robert Krauss, lead author of the study, expected to find that red meat had a greater effect on the cholesterol than that of white meat. However, the statistics of the study show otherwise. In fact, there was no significant difference on the LDLs of the participants in the study, whether they heavily ate white meat or those that consumed red meat.
However, this finding doesn't serve red meat eaters to enjoy. Both diet plans fail in comparison to a plant-based diet. However, the results only confirm that eating white meat isn't an actual workaround for improved heart health.
"Our new findings reveal that the LDL content in both red and white meat are practically of the same level, but the level of LDL is lower in diets that are plant-based," Krauss said. "So the results that states that there is higher LDL cholesterol in meat-based in diet and that the LDL level is lower in plant-based diets. It could state both and it will be correct."
No one has done a study that shows a comparison of the red and white meat. The results of this study only strengthens the recommendation released by AHA and the Dietary Guidelines of the US Government, encouraging people to consume more plant-based proteins over meat-based ones. Nevertheless, the findings clarifies one of the most popular notions about white meat. Rather than simply switching to white meat, it might be best to reconsider going for plant-based protein sources instead.
