White meat is as bad as red meat when it comes to cholesterol: study



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Red meat has a bad reputation for heart health in people whose diet contains a high proportion, but a new study shows that white meat can be just as bad with respect to cholesterol.

Although white meats are generally thought to be less harmful to our health, red and white meats contain saturated fats, which increases LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and increases the risk of heart attacks, cerebrovascular accidents and diseases of the peripheral artery.

The Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) study of the Children's Hospital (CHORI) found that people who ate white meat diets composed of chicken and turkey had a rate of cholesterol identical to those who ate red meat diets including lean beef or pork. Both diets caused significant jumps in cholesterol compared to people whose diet consisted of plant-based protein.

"When we planned this study, we expected red meat to have a more negative effect on blood cholesterol levels than white meat, but we were surprised that this was not the case. cholesterol are identical when saturated fat levels are equivalent, "the study's lead author, Dr. Ronald Krauss, senior scientist and director of atherosclerosis research at CHORI, in the release press release of the study.

The small study was conducted among 113 people whose diets were high or low in saturated fat. All participants tried a diet of red meat, white meat and herbal protein for one month each, depending on the order in which they ate. Between monthly diets, participants were able to eat their normal diet for a few weeks. Cholesterol levels were checked before and after each test diet.

The study did not include fish, grass fed beef, or processed meats. Herbal diets emphasize the consumption of legumes, nuts, cereals and soy products.

Red meat and white meat probably increased participants' cholesterol levels compared to the herbal diet because they contain different types of fat.

While red and white meats have a higher saturated fat content, "plant-based diets are higher in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, or" healthy fats ", while being high in fiber," Larlee Jensen, dietitian in New York. who was not involved in the study, told ABC News.

"The combination of adding healthy fats and fiber to your diet can help lower cholesterol levels," she added.

The authors of the study said that it was the first study to show that both types of meat – red and white – caused cholesterol levels higher than protein sources. plant origin.

Dr. Brian Geller, clinical cardiologist and presenter, told ABC News that the results corroborate much of the current recommendations of health professionals. The results suggest that herbal diets could be used to help prevent cholesterol problems in communities rather than an individual remedy for people already struggling with cholesterol problems.

That's not to say that animal protein sources are not good for you. Jensen said that lean cuts of red or white meat can still be part of a healthy diet when they are eaten in moderation.

Galler and Jensen both recommended the Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nuts, and limiting unhealthy meats and fats.

Dr. Heidi Choe is a physician in the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and has contributed to the ABC News Medical Unit.

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