New Study Disputes Notion That Eating Red Meat Is Disproportionately Bad for You

October 1, 2019

AP Photo / Mary Altaffer, File

For decades, Americans have been urged to limit their red-meat consumption, out of concern for its supposed link to heart disease, cancer and other ailments. But in a newly published study, an international group of researchers reached the conclusion that the notion that red meat should be avoided is not backed by sound scientific evidence. As The New York Times notes, the new study is "among the largest ever attempted and may influence future dietary recommendations." But almost as soon as the findings were published, several medical groups quickly denounced them, with Dr. Frank Hu of the Harvard School of Public Health calling them "irresponsible and unethical."