Summary
This narrative review by Danish nutrition scientists provides a balanced synthesis of current evidence on meat consumption and human health outcomes, examining both potential disease risks (particularly non-communicable diseases) and nutritional benefits. The authors critically appraise existing epidemiological and mechanistic evidence whilst systematically identifying substantial research gaps, notably regarding how production systems and methods affect health outcomes, dose-response relationships, and inter-individual variation in susceptibility.
UK applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK nutrition policy and clinical practice, particularly given the UK's reliance on mixed and pasture-based livestock systems. The paper's emphasis on production method effects is especially relevant for UK dietary guidelines, which have not yet systematically differentiated between meat from different farming systems.
Key measures
Disease risk associations, nutritional biomarkers, mechanistic pathways, evidence quality and research gaps in meat–health relationships
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised epidemiological and mechanistic evidence linking meat consumption to various non-communicable disease outcomes and nutritional benefits. The authors identified critical research gaps including the role of production methods, dose-response relationships, and individual susceptibility factors in determining health impacts of meat consumption.
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