karppaus.info

Eating red meat and cheese does not increase the chance of an early death, according to a landmark study.

The findings come after widespread claims by nutritionists that meat and dairy products increase the risk of heart attacks and harm long-term health.

But a global study involving almost 150,000 people, the first of its kind, found the healthiest diet can include red meat and whole fats from animal sources.

People consuming a well-balanced range of foods, which also include vegetables, legumes, fruit and fish, were found to be 30 per cent less likely to die during the 10-year period covered by the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (Pure) study than those on a poor diet.

They were also 18 per cent less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease and 19 per cent less at risk of a stroke.

The study covered more than 20 countries and the findings hold true internationally, the scientists said.

Dr Andrew Mente, study lead author from McMaster University in Canada, said the results “have profound implications for diets globally”.

“It indicates that the biggest gains in avoiding premature cardiovascular disease and deaths globally is expected to occur by increasing the intake of healthy foods to a moderate degree,” he said.

“On this basis, current advice to restrict dairy, especially whole fat dairy, to very low amounts in populations globally is not necessary or appropriate.”