Overview

• The peer-reviewed analysis of nearly 16,000 U.S. adults, published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, found no increase in all-cause or cardiovascular mortality with higher animal-protein intake.
• Researchers reported a modest but statistically significant association between higher animal-protein consumption and lower cancer-related mortality.
• McMaster University’s team used modeled estimates of usual intake from NHANES III data to reduce day-to-day diet variability in assessing long-term patterns.
• A press release from the research group said the findings support including animal proteins in healthy dietary patterns, though the effect on cancer mortality was small.
• Independent experts noted the study’s observational design, the aggregation of diverse animal foods into one category, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association funding disclosure as reasons for careful interpretation.