For the longest time, the medical establishment has been warning the public about the dangers of eating too much red meat. But the question of what to substitute red meat with has been put forward. What should people eat instead of red meat?

In a recent study published in the medical journal Circulation, it appears that the question has been answered: opt for protein-rich foods and simply avoid red meat altogether if you want a healthier heart.

According to researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health, people should also avoid all types of processed meats, in addition to avoiding red meat.

The risk for heart problems was high enough to draw attention: it was found that women specifically who regularly ate 2 or more servings of red meat per day were 30% more likely to develop heart problems than those who did not.

According to lead researcher Dr. Adam Bernstein, people who took the time to modify their diets and replaced red meats and processed meat with healthier, protein-rich alternative generally enjoyed better heart health and wellness. Instead of eating red meat, it was recommended that people stick to poultry and fish (freshwater or otherwise). Nuts are also a good source of protein, and should definitely be added to your diet to replace red meat.

The study made use of data from over 80,000 participants - and throughout the 26-year study period, more than 2,000 fatal heart attacks occurred. The researchers were able to profile more than 100 common foods that people regularly ate.

After analyzing the data, the researchers created a set of guidelines based on what they have observed throughout the study. The lead researcher assured the public that although their 26-year study focused on women specifically, they are fairly confident that the recommendation regarding red meat substitution applies to males as well. And males are for more at risk for heart problems than women. In another study performed by researchers from the National Cancer Institute, it was found that over 10% of all deaths from all causes could have been prevented if red meat consumption was reduced.

Sources:
sciencedaily.com
sciencedaily.com