Research
Macro partitioning
Red meat consumption is causally associated with an increased risk of colon and prostate cancer, whereas total dietary fat intake is not significantly associated with colon cancer risk.
To reduce cancer risk, prioritize reducing red meat consumption over simply lowering total fat intake. Evidence suggests red meat contains components linked to colon and prostate cancer risk that are distinct from fat content.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
In contrast to breast cancer, more recent data have supported a causative role for red meat in the development of colon and prostate cancers, although perhaps not entirely due to its fat content.
Why this rating
Based on multiple prospective cohort studies (NHS, HPFS) showing consistent associations with red meat but not fat.
Source
Diet, nutrition, and avoidable cancer.
W C Willett · Environmental Health Perspectives · 1995
narrative_reviewCited 366×
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