Study consumption of red meat increases the fatty liver risk

Regular consumption of meat affects health?

Do you like red meat and is meat a normal part of your daily diet? Then maybe you should rethink your eating habits. According to a recent study, regular consumption of red and processed meat leads to an increased risk for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver and the development of isulin resistance.

Researchers at the University of Haifa have found in their recent research that regular red or processed meat-consuming people are at an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver in their later lives. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Journal of Hepatology".

When people often consume red meat, it increases the likelihood of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. (Image: karandaev / fotolia.com)

Western diet unhealthy?

The so-called Western diet has been repeatedly said in recent years that it is not particularly good for the health and can lead to various diseases. Such a diet involves a relatively high consumption of red and processed meat, explain the experts. Previous studies have already shown that red and processed meat is associated with an increased risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. According to the results of the latest study, such a diet can also severely affect the liver.

Western lifestyle involves too little exercise

According to the researchers, an unhealthy Western lifestyle plays an important role in the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Such a lifestyle includes, for example, lack of physical activity and high consumption of fructose and saturated fats.

Subjects underwent a screening colonoscopy

To test the association of meats and cooking methods used with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance, researchers conducted a cross-sectional study in individuals aged 40 to 70 years. Participants underwent a so-called screening colonoscopy and agreed to participate in a metabolic and hepatic screening study between 2013 and 2015.

Roasting and grilling unhealthy?

The risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver and insulin resistance was closely examined in the study. In addition, the meat type and cooking method as well as the frequency of consumption and detailed additional points were recorded by means of questionnaires. The cooking methods were taken into account in the study, as, for example, roast and barbecue are considered to be particularly unhealthy preparation methods. These methods produce so-called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) - inflammation-promoting compounds that promote the development of inflammation, explain the experts.

Main analysis included nearly 800 participants

Excluding the results of participants with factors such as viral liver disease and alcohol abuse, nearly 800 subjects were included in the main analysis. In another sample, another 357 people completed a questionnaire.

What was the result of the investigation??

The results showed that 38.7 percent of the participants were diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver. In addition, 30.5 percent suffered from insulin resistance. For the affected people, the proportion of consumed red meat was about one third, while the proportion of white meat was two thirds. This corresponded to the typical diet of the Israeli population, say the scientists. Among the people with a high consumption of meat there were especially many young men. These also had a higher body mass index (BMI), an increased calorie intake and a poorer metabolic profile, add the physicians.

Effects of consuming red meat

It has also been found that high consumption of red and processed meat leads to non-alcoholic fatty liver and insulin resistance, regardless of the intake of saturated fat and cholesterol and other risk factors, such as BMI. When people ingest large amounts of meat which has been prepared unhealthily, and if people with previously diagnosed nonalcoholic fatty acids ingested many heterocyclic amines, this increases the likelihood of developing insulin resistance.

Further research is needed

One of the limitations of the study was that it was based mainly on questionnaires. Direct links between consumption of red and processed meat and nonalcoholic fatty liver need to be further confirmed by prospective studies, say the authors. However, small improvements in nutrition could protect those affected. People should eat more healthier white meat, consume more fish and make their food healthier, advise the doctors. (As)