Meat lovers take note. If the findings of a latest study are to be believed, diet rich in animal protein may put men at an increased risk of early death. The study was published in the 'American Journal of Clinical Nutrition'. The study said that men who preferred animal protein over a plant-based diet suffered from a greater risk of death followed for 20 years than men having a more balanced diet.
There are plenty of studies that have discussed the potential benefits of plant-based diet. This study revealed, that among men whose protein source was animal-based had a 23 per cent higher risk of death. The participants in the research mainly had red meat intake. The mean age of the men participating in the study was 53 years at the onset.
The findings also revealed that high overall intake of dietary protein was associated with a greater risk of death in men who had been diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer at the onset of the study. However, they did not find a similar association in men without these diseases.
The study tried to analyse the associations of dietary protein and protein sources with mortality during the follow-up. The team controlled for other lifestyle factors and dietary habits. They also ensured the fact that those eating plenty of plant-based protein followed a healthier diet.
"However, these findings should not be generalised to older people who are at a greater risk of malnutrition and whose intake of protein often remains below the recommended amount," Heli Virtanen.