The Pros and Cons of Meat Consumption

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One of the most controversial foods consumed is meat. In general, there are two extremes associated with meat; those who over consume and those who chose not to eat meat at all. Of course there are concerns associated with over consumption of meat such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndromes. Also, diets high in meat have high protein content so those individuals will sometimes not receive enough energy from carbohydrates, ultimately putting strain on the kidneys, leading to dehydration and ketosis (Wyness, et al., p. 35).
When considering negative effects of meat consumption, the main focus is weight management, cholesterol, cancer, and coronary heart disease. With societies growing numbers of obese individuals, finding causes and significant resources to improve management is important. In multiple studies, people eating meat have a prevalence to be over weight of approximately 5-46%. During these studies, it is hard to establish factors to prove eating meat is cause for obesity because people eating meat are commonly compared to those who don’t. Vegetarians are more likely to live a healthier life style and be health conscious so prevalence is much smaller (Wyness, et al., p. 49). “Mainly because of high energy density and fat content, meat consumption has been considered a determinant of weight gain” (Vergnaud, p. 398). Though it is a determinant in weight, cutting intake of red meat will not effectively manage weight. A combination of meat, vegetables fruit, decreased total energy intake, and increased physical activity is equally important to receive adequate results (Vergnaud, p. 403).
Also associate with meat and obesity are cholesterol and coronary heart disease. “Coronary heart ...

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References

Bentley, Orville. Agriculture’s public responsibility in the diet/ health issues. Journal of Animal Science. Published 1986, supplement 1, p. 1-6. Retrieved 4/6/2014.

Hansen, et al. Placing the role of meat in human nutrition in perspective. Journal of Animal Science. Published 1986, supplement 1, p. 7-15. Retrieved 4/6/2014.

Sanders, Tom. Meat in the diet: essential or optional?. BNF Nutrition Bulletin. Published 1998, issue 23, p. 88-93. Retrieved 4/6/2014.

Vergnaud, et al. Meat consumption and prospective weight change in participants of the EPIC-PANACEA study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Published 2010, issue 92, p. 398-407. Retrieved 4/6/2014.

Wyness, et al. Red meat in the diet: an update. British Nutrition Foundation Bulletin. Published 2011, issue 36, p. 34-77. Retrieved 4/6/2014

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