White Meat Increases Cholesterol Levels Similar to Red Meat

 You'll have to ask your doctor to explain EXACTLY how dietary red and white meat translate into cholesterol in the blood.  You do expect them to know that easy question?

White Meat Increases Cholesterol Levels Similar to Red Meat

A new study found that red meat isn’t the only type of meat that raises blood cholesterol levels.

By Alexa Lardieri, Staff Writer June 4, 2019, at 10:21 a.m.
More Study: Chicken Increases Cholesterol Researchers concluded that restricting white meat in addition to red meat is recommended for lowering cholesterol. Consuming white meat, such as poultry, has an equal effect on blood cholesterol levels as consuming red meat.

A study published Tuesday in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition debunked previous assumptions that only red meat had an impact on cholesterol. Researchers were surprised to discover that eating white meat also increases blood cholesterol levels more than consuming a comparable amount of plant proteins.

Researchers observed this change in study participants regardless of whether their diet contained high levels of saturated fat. Dr. Ronald Krauss, study author and director of atherosclerosis research at the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, said in a press release that grass-fed beef, fish and processed products like bacon and sausages were not studied.

"When we planned this study, we expected red meat to have a more adverse effect on blood cholesterol levels than white meat, but we were surprised that this was not the case – their effects on cholesterol are identical when saturated fat levels are equivalent," Krauss said.

Researchers concluded that restricting white meat in addition to red meat is recommended for lowering cholesterol. According to the study, plant proteins, such as vegetables, beans and legumes, are the healthiest for blood cholesterol levels.

The study also found that red and white meat, and diets high in saturated fat, increased amounts of large cholesterol-enriched low-density lipoprotein particles. LDL is known as the "bad" cholesterol and it is connected to cardiovascular disease.

While government dietary guidelines have recommended decreasing consumption of red meat and increasing consumption of poultry, the study's results suggest more research is needed and a change to guidelines may be necessary.

Alexa Lardieri, Staff Writer

Alexa Lardieri is a reporter and digital producer at U.S. News & World Report. You can follow ...  Read more