Imagine going to your favorite restaurant and ordering a huge steak medium rare. In your head, you are probably already imagining the bright red of your steak as you cut into it. You may even be grabbing your coat and heading out the door to grab a steak as you read this.
However, you may not want to after you finish reading. Eating too much red meat has been linked to some serious side effects, and the latest research available indicates that red meat can actually increase your risk of developing bowel cancer.
Side Effects of Eating Red Meat
While red meat is an excellent source of iron and protein, it has its share of negative health effects. Red meat tends to be very high in fat. When you pair it with fried onions, buttery potatoes, and a high-calorie beverage, you quickly exceed your body’s capacity to process fat.
In addition, red meat can be very hard for the body to digest. After eating beef, you may find that you suffer digestive difficulties. Over time, this can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body.
The Link Between Bowel Cancer and Red Meat
Perhaps the scariest part of eating red meat is its link to bowel cancer. A recent study studied this connection to find out how red meat can put you at risk.That bright red color that so many people love to see in their steak is to blame. This comes from the part of the blood cell that binds to oxygen.
The iron in this part of the cell produces the red color you see in red meat.Over time, this chemical can damage the lining of the gut. Though the body can repair the gut lining and restore it completely, it often does not have the chance to do so if you eat red meat on a regular basis.
Furthermore, the body has to go into overdrive to repair the gut lining. During this process, cells reproduce at a rapid rate. Rapid cell regrowth increases the risk of a cancerous tumor developing.
What This Means for You
Don’t worry, you don’t have to say goodbye to your red meat just yet. Research on this subject is still in its preliminary stages, which means that this phenomenon has only been tested in mice. Further research is needed to see if the same thing happens when humans eat red meat.
Furthermore, you can eat almost anything as long as you do so in moderation. You may not want to eat a steak every night, but one or two servings of red meat per week will likely not cause any long-term damage.To offset the possible damage caused by red meat in your diet, make sure that you are eating right the majority of the time.
Getting plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet can give your body the antioxidants it needs to fight cancer, allowing you to indulge in a steak every now and then.
Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3176305/Revealed-eating-red-meat-cause-bowel-cancer-Pigment-makes-steak-red-blame-say-scientists.html
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/red-meat.aspx
Nicole Penguin
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