Did you know that red meat can be good for your heart? We have just gotten through Christmas Day and our lovely roast dinner and more than likely you have loads of leftover ham in the fridge. So what better time to look at the subject of meat.
Are we designed to eat red meat? If so, how much and what types?
Human beings, as the ads say, evolved to eat red meat and in fact eating meat was an important part of our development, however we almost certainly didn't eat as much as we do in a typical western diet. Our genes have changed very little in the last 100,000 years and so our red meat requirements have not changed much either.
We know we are designed to eat red meat, albeit less than we do now, but what is really important is the quality of the meat. There are several things that can effect its quality, such as what the cattle is fed, what hormones and drugs are used, and how the meat cooked.
Most cattle are grain fed. I have talked before about what excessive grain consumption can do to people and it does all of the same things when fed to cattle. One of the main things that happens is that the fat ratios change. Grain-fed cattle have been shown to have more omega 6 fats that have been linked to heart disease, and less omega 3 fats which actually promote cardiac health.
Many of the cattle that are consumed also contain measurable amounts of hormones that are transferred to humans. These cows are fed a steady diet of antibiotics and hormones to help promote their growth. Amongst other things, it is believed that human consumption of oestrogen from hormone-fed beef can result in cancer, premature puberty and falling sperm counts.
If you can't find grass-fed beef, kangaroo meat is an excellent option. But remember that overcooking, cooking on high heat and barbecuing your meat can also pose a risk. It can actually create cancer-causing substances in your food called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) which are potent cancer-causing agents.
So by all means enjoy your red meat, but be careful of both the quality and the quantity that you consume.
Dr Brett Hill's top 5 tips for choosing health red meat:
1. Choose organic, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat
2. Choose grass-fed rather than grain-fed meats
3. Avoid overcooking your meat
4. Cook your meat slowly on a low heat
5. Limit yourself to a couple of serves of red meat a week
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