The Truth About Meat and Cholesterol: Surprising Study Results

2024-02-22 11:32:00

Verified on 02/22/2024 by Alexane Flament, Editor

White meat, such as chicken or turkey, increases blood cholesterol levels as much as red meat. This is what a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concludes. Explanations!

Consumption of red meat, such as beef, is often associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In France, regarding meat consumption, the National Nutrition and Health Program recommends favoring poultry, a white meat, and limiting your consumption of other meats to 500 grams per week.

What is it really ?

A rather surprising observation

The results surprised researchers who expected red meat to have a more detrimental effect on blood cholesterol levels than white meat.

They discovered that among the three diets studied: red meat, white meat and vegetable proteins, only the plant-protein diet was associated with healthy cholesterol levels.

The results showed that diets based on red or white meat similarly increased blood cholesterol levels.

During this study, researchers examined 113 healthy participants. The latter were randomly assigned a diet high or low in saturated fat.

Each diet period lasted four weeks. Participants had blood tests at the start and end of their diet.

The role of cholesterol for our body

Cholesterol is a fatty substance essential to the functioning of the body. However, it is important to discern two cholesterol levels.

HDL cholesterol, called “good cholesterol”, which is responsible for cleaning the arteries and transport fats to the liver to then eliminate them.

LDL cholesterol, also called “bad cholesterol”, corresponds to excess cholesterol which is deposited on the walls of blood vessels.

Too much cholesterol from saturated fat can build up in blood vessels causing plaque to form and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Researchers found that LDL particles increased more in red and white meat diets than in plant-based diets.

To increase good cholesterol, it is important to reduce saturated fat present in cold meats, pastries or fatty meat and favor more monounsaturated fatty acids like olive oil, avocado or nuts.

Finally, the study shows that you must reduce your consumption of meat, white or red, to reduce your blood cholesterol level!

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