Eating meat could protect against cancer deaths: Study

New data is contradicting past studies’ findings when it comes to eating meat. A newly released study out of McMaster University in Canada shows eating more meat could actually be good for you.

It’s important to note this study, which was published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, was funded by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. However, researchers said the NCBA was “not involved in the study design, data collection and analysis or publication of the findings.”

Health impacts of eating meat

Researchers from McMaster University looked at data from nearly 16,000 adults, analyzing how much animal and plant protein the individuals normally consumed. Then they looked at whether their diet patterns could be associated with a person’s risk of dying from cancer or heart disease.

The study found animal-sourced foods are not linked to a higher risk of death. In fact, they could help protect against dying from cancer.

Researchers said they found a “modest but significant reduction” in cancer-related deaths associated with eating more animal protein.

“Combined with decades of clinical trial evidence, the findings support the inclusion of animal proteins as part of a healthy dietary pattern,” researchers said in a press release.

Meat protein vs. plant protein

The study found no relationship between any form of protein and a person’s risk of death from not just cancer or heart disease, but any cause.

When it comes to plant protein, the study’s results “remained consistent,” which researchers say suggests that plant protein has a “minimal impact on cancer mortality, while animal protein may offer a small protective effect.”

The American Cancer Society also officially backs a plant-forward diet as a means to lower one’s overall cancer risk.