Can Red Meat be as Heart-Healthy as Chicken or Fish?

When a recently published study regarding red meat announced that consumption can be as effective in reducing blood cholesterol (as much as a diet consuming chicken or fish), the media projected people eating hamburgers. It must be made clear that research was comparing lean red meat to poultry and fish, as well as the portion size (6 oz.) compared to a super sized burger, or thick sirloin steak. Beef provides one of the most concentrated forms of several nutrients including zinc, iron and B vitamins. To consume the same level of zinc, iron and B vitamins found in just one 3 oz cooked serving of beef, as adult would have to consume seven chicken breasts and eight chicken breasts respectively. Beef also contains its concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which may have a variety of advantages including cancer protection, and selenium, a potentially powerful antioxidant. CLA is a unique fatty acid found in beef that exhibits powerful anticarcinogenic effects at relatively low dietary levels in animal studies. Studies have found that CLA can inhibit malignant melanoma, colorectal, lung, breast, ovarian, and liver cancers. The lowest cuts of beef and pork will often have “loin” or “round” in their names. For ground beef, choose a package that’s 90% or 95% lean.

Remember that having variety, taste and food quality, we should follow a diet that is heart healthy.