6 signs that you eat too much red meat and why you shouldn't
Illustrative photo (Freepik)
To improve your health, it's essential to consume nutrient-rich foods. Lean sources of protein play a crucial role in building muscles, bones, cartilage, blood, and skin. It is advisable to limit the intake of processed red meat though, which can lead to undesirable consequences, citing Best Life Online.
What is processed red meat?
Processed meat is any meat that has been preserved or altered. It can be prepared by smoking, curing, salting, or adding preservatives. Processed meat includes ham, bacon, salami, and sausages. This category also includes processed white meat, such as chicken nuggets and deli meat.
Red meat encompasses all fresh, minced, and frozen beef, pork, lamb, and game. The red color in meat is due to oxymyoglobin, which forms when myoglobin comes into contact with oxygen.
Excessive consumption of red meat can impact health. Here are six signs that your diet may include too much processed meat.
Digestive issues
One of the most common problems associated with excessive red meat consumption is digestive issues.
Dietitian Michelle Routhenstein said that red meat is low in fiber, and its consumption can cause constipation or bloating. It can also irritate the stomach and lead to diarrhea.
High cholesterol levels
If you have high levels of bad cholesterol, it can accumulate in your arteries and harden them. This could be a sign that you're eating too much red meat.
This, in turn, may increase the risk of heart disease.
Hypertension
Red meat typically contains more calories and fats, particularly saturated fats and cholesterol.
Eating more red meat increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Bad breath
If you're struggling with bad breath, it could also be related to consuming processed red meat.
Additionally, if you don't properly brush your teeth after eating meat, food particles can get stuck between your teeth, attracting bacteria that cause bad breath.
Skin problems
Excessive consumption of red meat, especially high in saturated fats, can contribute to skin issues such as acne or dullness due to its impact on overall inflammation levels.
Weight gain
Weight gain and obesity are closely linked to high red meat consumption.
Red meat is calorie-dense, and people often tend to eat larger portions of it, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
