Eating more red and processed meat is tied to smaller heart chambers and stiffer arteries, whereas oily fish improves heart health, according to new imaging-based research.
An observational study in nearly 20,000 individuals has found that greater intake of red and processed meat is associated with worse heart function. The research is presented at ESC Preventive Cardiology 2021, an online scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).[1]
“Previous studies have shown links between greater red meat consumption and increased risk of heart attacks or dying from heart disease,” said study author Dr. Zahra Raisi-Estabragh of Queen Mary University of London, UK.[2,3] “For the first time, we examined the relationships between meat consumption and imaging measures of heart health. This may help us to understand the mechanisms underlying the previously observed connections with cardiovascular disease.”
The study included 19,408 participants of the UK Biobank.[4] The researchers examined associations of self-reported intake of red and processed meat with heart anatomy and function.
Three types of heart measures were analyzed. First, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) assessments of heart function used in clinical practice such as volume of the ventricles and measures of the pumping function of the ventricles. Second, novel CMR radiomics used in research to extract detailed information from heart images such as shape and texture (which indicates health of the heart muscle). Third, elasticity of the blood vessels (stretchy arteries are healthier).
The analysis was adjusted for other factors that might influence the relationship including age, sex, deprivation, education, smoking, alcohol, exercise, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and body mass index (BMI) as a measure of obesity.
Meat Intake Tied to Negative Heart Indicators
The researchers found that greater intake of red and processed meat was associated with worse imaging measures of heart health, across all measures studied. Specifically, individuals with higher meat intake had smaller ventricles, poorer heart function, and stiffer arteries – all markers of worse cardiovascular health.
As a comparison, the researchers also tested the relationships between heart imaging measures and intake of oily fish, which has previously been linked with better heart health. They found that as the amount of oily fish consumption rose, heart function improved, and arteries were stretchier.
Dr. Raisi-Estabragh said: “The findings support prior observations linking red and processed meat consumption with heart disease and provide unique insights into links with heart and vascular structure and function.”
Beyond Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
The associations between imaging measures of heart health and meat intake were only partially explained by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.
“It has been suggested that these factors could be the reason for the observed relationship between meat and heart disease,” said Dr. Raisi-Estabragh. “For example, it is possible that greater red meat intake leads to raised blood cholesterol and this in turn causes heart disease. Our study suggests that these four factors do play a role in the links between meat intake and heart health, but they are not the full story.”
She noted that the study did not look into alternative mechanisms. But she said: “There is some evidence that red meat alters the gut microbiome, leading to higher levels of certain metabolites in the blood, which have in turn been linked to greater risk of heart disease.”
Dr. Raisi-Estabragh said: “This was an observational study and causation cannot be assumed. But in general, it seems sensible to limit intake of red and processed meat for heart health reasons.”
References and notes
- Abstract title: Higher consumption of red and processed meat is associated with adverse cardiovascular magnetic resonance morpho-functional phenotypes: A study of 19,408 UK Biobank participants.
- Sinha R, Cross AJ, Graubard BI, et al. Meat intake and mortality: a prospective study of over half a million people. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:562-571.
- Kontogianni MD, Panagiotakos DB, Pitsavos C, et al. Relationship between meat intake and the development of acute coronary syndromes: The CARDIO2000 case-control study. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2008;62:171-177.
- The study was a collaboration between Queen Mary University of London, UK, the University of Barcelona, Spain, and the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit in Southampton, UK. The UK Biobank is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource, containing in-depth genetic and health information from half a million UK participants.
Funding: Zahra Raisi-Estabragh is funded by the British Heart Foundation. The University of Barcelona receives funding from euCanSHare (EU Horizon 2020 Programme grant agreement No 825903).
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5 Comments
“The analysis was adjusted for other factors that might influence the relationship including age, sex, deprivation, education, smoking, alcohol, exercise, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and body mass index (BMI) as a measure of obesity.”
However, they apparently did NOT adjust for the relative proportion of read meat to processed meat! Adding table salt or nitrates to meat to preserve them should be viewed with suspicion because of the effect the salts have on the organisms that are responsible for decay.
Is there anyone in academia these days that can do rigorous, unbiased research?
“red meat,” not “read meat!” Spell Check is an abomination.
I say this as an individual who lives on a carnivore diet, and that was after trying every diet going. This study is trash, how can you compare red meat consumption when people eat high carb diets and drink alcohol. Do a proper study instead of feesing the global elites narrative
A study of red meat and processed meats? Why mix these two and generalize findings unless there is a hidden agenda as usual… we all know processed meats are bad for you!
Unless they were carnivore this study is garbage.