New study shows that a high-meat diet is associated with a higher risk of earlier death

The number of people in Australia who are following a vegetarian or herbal diet is increasing rapidly, and experts say that vegetarianism may actually be healthier than a long-term meat-based diet.

Now, another study has suggested that it would be best to avoid a diet rich in animal protein.

Research, conducted by the University of Eastern Finland, has revealed that a diet rich in animal protein and meat, in particular, is not good for one's health and may even be badociated with an increased risk of premature death.

The results, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showed that men in particular who preferred animal proteins to vegetable proteins were 20 years more likely to die than those who consumed proteins from other balanced sources.

For the purposes of this study, a person consuming a high-meat diet was considered to consume more than 200 grams of animal protein per day and study participants consumed mainly red meat.

The results of the research are based on men aged about 53 at the beginning of the study. Therefore, the health effects of a diet rich in animal protein in females, compared to the consumption of different protein sources, require further study.

However, the results corroborate previous studies suggesting that high consumption of animal protein, especially processed meats such as sausages and cold cuts, is bad for health. Most dietitians recommend that people limit their use as much as possible.