For better or worse, some stereotypes are true, including a new study that finds men eat more red meat than women.
The research, published in the journal "Nature Scientific Reports", analyzed the consumption habits of this meat in 21 thousand people from 23 different countries of the world and the conclusion showed that men ate more meat than women.
What are the health benefits of red meat?
Red meat is rich in protein, B vitamins, iron and zinc, according to nutritionist Michelle Routhenstein.
Protein is a valuable fuel for building muscle and bone, and B vitamins affect brain health and blood cell production. Zinc has a direct effect on strengthening the immune system, while iron ensures that oxygen is efficiently transported throughout your body and helps produce certain hormones.
But what are the risks?
Red meat is rich in saturated fats, which are too rich for our blood. Saturated fats contribute to high levels of "bad" cholesterol and the formation of plaques that clog and harden arteries.
An Oxford University study published in 2023 found that people who had diets rich in raw red meat were at a 9% greater risk of heart disease. Those who ate the most processed red meat had an 18% increased risk.
Are there differences in how red meat affects men and women?
Men and women get the same nutrients from red meat, but their needs are different. While men and women need protein and iron to build muscle and transport oxygen through the bloodstream, men simply don't have the extra iron unless they're athletes.
But the data shows that the risks of eating too much red meat are essentially the same for both men and women, according to nutritionist Edwina Clarke. A 2023 study published in the European Heart Journal found that rates of heart disease and diabetes were equally high for men and women who consumed a lot of red meat.
Should women eat less red meat than men?
One thing is certain: red meat should be consumed as little as possible and in moderate amounts. If pregnant women, also due to problems with iron levels, need more red meat, if you were to see the dietary regime in the Blue Zones, which are also known for the highest life expectancy of the population, they have very little amount of red meat or they have none at all.
So that's pretty telling isn't it?
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