Nutritional impact of excluding red meat from the Canadian diet

N-glycolylneuraminic acid in red meat and processed meat is a health concern: A review on the formation, health risk, and reduction

One of the most consistent epidemiological associations between diet and human disease risk is the impact of consuming red meat and processed meat products. In recent years, the health concerns surrounding red meat and processed meat have gained worldwide attention. The fact that humans have lost the ability to synthesize N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) makes red meat and processed meat products the most important source of exogenous Neu5Gc for humans. As our research of Neu5Gc has increased, it has been discovered that Neu5Gc in red meat and processed meat is a key factor in many major diseases. Given the objective evidence of the harmful risk caused by Neu5Gc in red meat and processed meat to human health, there is a need for heightened attention in the field of food. This updated review has several Neu5Gc aspects given including biosynthetic pathway of Neu5Gc and its accumulation in the human body, the distribution of Neu5Gc in food, the methods for detecting Neu5Gc, and most importantly, a systematic review of the existing methods for reducing the content of Neu5Gc in red meat and processed meat. It also provides some insights into the current status and future directions in this area.

Beef Intake Is Associated with Higher Nutrient Intake and Nutrient Adequacy in U.S. Adolescents, NHANES 2001-2018

Nutrient adequacy among adolescents is of concern due to higher nutrient requirements for their developing bodies as well as the gap between the current nutrient intake and the recommendations. The objective of this study was to determine beef intake and assess the relationship between beef consumption and nutrient intake and nutrient adequacy in male and female adolescents, 14-18 years of age. Dietary recalls collected during the What We Eat in America (WWEIA) portion of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles 2001-2018 were utilized to determine beef intake. Usual nutrient intakes were determined with the National Cancer Institute method in conjunction with day 1 and day 2 total nutrient files. Nutrient adequacy was assessed by calculating the percentage of the population below the estimated average requirement (EAR) or above the adequate intake (AI). The average beef intake of male and female adolescent beef consumers was 57.9 ± 2.4 and 46.8 ± 2.2 g with a 90th percentile of 82.3 ± 4.3 and 67.8 ± 3.5 g, respectively. Compared to non-consumers, beef consumers had a 10% or higher intake of calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, total choline, vitamin B12, and zinc. Over 50% of the adolescent population (regardless of beef consumption) had intakes below the EAR for calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D, and E. The percentage of the beef-consuming population below the EAR was lower for calcium, copper, folate, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamins B12 and B6 as compared to non-consumers. Additionally, the portion of the population above the AI for sodium was higher in female beef consumers as compared to non-consumers. We estimate approximately 900,000 to 1,400,000, 400,000-700,000, 200,000-600,000, and 200,000-400,000 fewer adolescents to be below the EAR for zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B12, and iron, respectively if beef non-consumers were to consume beef. This study suggests beef can help increase the nutrient intake and nutrient adequacy in the diets of adolescents, helping to close important gaps for this nutritionally vulnerable population. While recommendations to reduce beef intake are widely prevalent, this could result in unintended nutritional consequences regarding under-consumed nutrients including those of public health concern important for adolescent health.