In a new study, researchers found that red and white meat has a similar effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol, which is linked to increased heart disease risk.
The team examined whether cholesterol levels differed after consuming diets high in red meat compared with diets with similar amounts of protein from white meat or non-meat sources (legumes, nuts, grains, and soy products).
It also studied whether the results were affected by the amount of saturated fat in each of the diets.
Participants included 113 healthy men and women, ages 21 to 65.
Each participant ate either a high- or low-saturated-fat diet for four weeks and consumed protein from either red meat, white meat, or non-meat sources.
The participants were asked to maintain their baseline activity level and abstain from alcohol. They were also advised to maintain their weight during the study period, and their calories were adjusted if their weight shifted.
The researchers found that LDL cholesterol was strongly higher after consuming the red meat and white meat diets, compared with the non-meat diet.
This result was found regardless of whether the diet was high or low in saturated fat.
The team also found the high-saturated fat diets had a larger harmful effect on LDL cholesterol levels than the low-saturated fat diets.
The findings show the beneficial effects of non-meat protein sources on cholesterol levels.
They support previous results that primarily plant-based, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, or vegan dietary patterns reporting significantly lower total and LDL cholesterol in the body.
The team suggests people should choose healthy plant-based diets such as the Mediterranean diet and vegetarian diets to protect their heart health.
The study is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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