For long health experts have emphasized health risks associated with consumption of red meat. But, a new research shows that eating lean beef can in fact lessen heart disease risk and might also be a good source of protein.
Researchers at Penn State say that lean beef can be included as a part of a heart-healthy diet that reduces blood pressure, which in turn lowers the risk for cardiovascular disease.
"This research adds to the significant evidence, including work previously done in our lab, that supports lean beef's role in a heart-healthy diet," Penny M. Kris-Etherton, Distinguished Professor of Nutrition, Penn State, said in a press release.
According to the researchers, lean beef can act as a main protein source in diet. American Heart Association recommends following Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension or DASH, eating plan to people with lower blood pressure and to reduce risk of heart disease. Those following this diet are told to eat fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and protein predominantly from plant sources.
Researchers tested four diets - Healthy American Diet (the controls), the Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD) +diet, only BOLD diet and the DASH diet to find the effects on heart health. The experiments were conducted on 36 people aged between 30 and 65.
The participants were randomly assigned an order to follow each of the four diet plans for five weeks with a break of one week in between the new plan. Blood pressure was taken at the beginning and end of each diet period.
The control group was given 0.7 ounces of lean beef every day; those in the DASH diet group were served 1.0 ounce of lean beef. The BOLD diet consisted of 4.0 ounces and the BOLD+ diet included 5.4 ounces of lean beef.
Researchers found that the BOLD+ diet effectively reduced blood pressure compared to the other diets.
"This evidence suggests that it is the total protein intake -- not the type of protein -- that is instrumental in reducing blood pressure, as part of a DASH-like dietary pattern," the researchers concluded.
