Every study we read on this question

Trials in people (6)

• 6-day trial in 41 adults: plant-based meat gave lower LDL cholesterol than red meat
  Randomized trial202641 peoplePoints to harm
• Trial in 27 men: beef, lamb gave smaller blood fat rise than plant burger
  Randomized trial202527 peoplePoints to benefit
• 6-week trial in 102 men: bean diet, lower cholesterol but lower B12 and iodine
  Randomized trial2025102 peoplePoints to harm
• 5-week trial in 23 men: high-fat beef improved artery widening and lowered blood pressure
  Randomized trial202323 peoplePoints to benefit
• A 4-week trial in 113 adults: red and white meat gave higher LDL cholesterol
  Randomized trial2019113 peoplePoints to harm
• Three diet trials in obese men: meat-based diets raised stool cancer-causing chemicals
  Randomized trial2012Points to harm

Population studies (12)

• In 71,264 Korean women, processed meat was linked to higher breast cancer risk
  Population study: followed a group202571,264 peoplePoints to harm
• In 114,064 health workers followed 30 years, ready-to-eat meats went with higher death risk
  Population study: followed a group2024114,064 peoplePoints to harm
• In 83,304 Norwegian women: processed meat linked to higher death risk, red meat not
  Population study: followed a group202483,304 peopleMixed
• In 2,293 adults with HIV, frequent red meat went with lower death risk
  Population study: followed a group20232,293 peoplePoints to benefit
• 400 Polish bowel cancer patients vs 400 without: more red meat went with cancer
  Population study: cases vs controls2022800 peoplePoints to harm
• 5,109 German bowel cancer patients vs 4,134 without: more meat went with more cancer
  Population study: cases vs controls20229,243 peoplePoints to harm
• In 416,588 UK adults, red and processed meat went with more lung cancer
  Population study: followed a group2021416,588 peoplePoints to harm
• In 475,581 UK adults, red and processed meat was linked to more bowel cancer
  Population study: followed a group2020475,581 peoplePoints to harm
• In 29,682 US adults, processed and red meat were linked to more heart disease
  Population study: followed a group202029,682 peoplePoints to harm
• Study of 61,476 French adults: red meat linked to more cancer, processed meat not
  Population study: followed a group201861,476 peoplePoints to harm
• 30-year study of 46,551 adults: meat had no clear link to bowel cancer death
  Population study: followed a group201746,551 peopleNo difference
• In 1,152 adults, meat had no clear cholesterol link; men had higher blood pressure
  Population study: followed a group20091,152 peopleMixed

Reviews (6)

• Pooled review of 60 studies: red and processed meat linked to more bowel cancer
  Pooled review (meta-analysis)2025Points to harm
• Pooled review of 43 studies: red meat linked to higher heart disease risk
  Pooled review (meta-analysis)20234,462,810 peoplePoints to harm
• Pooled review of 148 studies: red and processed meat linked to more cancers
  Pooled review (meta-analysis)2021Points to harm
• Review of 72 earlier pooled reviews: red meat linked to higher cancer risk
  Systematic review2021Points to harm
• Pooled review of 197 studies: no clear link between red meat and breast cancer
  Pooled review (meta-analysis)202119,413,702 peopleNo difference
• Pooled review of 232 studies: no clear link between red meat and stomach cancer
  Pooled review (meta-analysis)202033,831,063 peopleNo difference

Opinion (6)

• Computer model: eating 30% less meat estimated to mean fewer heart disease cases
  Other20248,665 peoplePoints to harm
• Review: red and processed meat linked to higher heart disease and bowel cancer risk
  Opinion or narrative review2017Points to harm
• Review of WHO cancer agency's meat rating: processed meat linked to bowel cancer
  Opinion or narrative review2017Points to harm
• Review of US, European studies: red and processed meat linked to higher death risk
  Opinion or narrative review2015Points to harm
• Review: expert report judged red and processed meat link to bowel cancer convincing
  Opinion or narrative review2014Points to harm
• Review of 35 studies: no clear independent link between red meat and bowel cancer
  Opinion or narrative review2011No difference