10 things that happen to you if you eat too much meat
You’ve probably heard a lot of talk about the
benefits and dangers of meat.
And although there is no definite opinion on this issue, experts
nevertheless noticed that if you have too much meat in your diet, you
significantly increase the risk of developing certain diseases.
How much should be considered the norm?
If you currently consume more than 90 grams of meat per day, the
UK Health Department advises you to reduce to 70 grams.
You will be lethargic and sleepy
Protein provides us with energy for a long time (meat is digested
for a long time). However, it is worth noting that it will not provide you
with energy instantly the way carbohydrates do – they quickly turn into the
most accessible source of energy for the body – glucose.
According to board-certified nutritionist Caroline Passerrello, the human brain uses glucose only
for energy, but it may lack that energy if your diet contains
difficult-to-digest protein.
Simply put, the “fuel” takes longer to get into the
brain, so a person lacks concentration, his consciousness is a little clouded,
and he feels a little tired.
Your skin and hair may suffer
When you eat a lot of meat products, there is a good chance that
your diet is lacking in nutrients.
Vitamin C is less commonly found in animal products, which means
it must be taken from other sources, as it plays an important role in the
formation of collagen fibers (collagen is a protein that affects the structure
of your skin, hair, nails and bones).
Passerrello noted that her
clients were surprised how much their skin improved after they cut back on
animal products and started to focus more on plant-based diets.
Experts recommend including dark greens in your daily diet.
There is a risk that you will get sick more often
If you get colds often, it may be worth considering nutrition. If
you’re on a keto diet, you probably don’t eat a lot of fruits, and they contain
vitamin C. Luckily, you can also get the nutrients you need from vegetables
like broccoli and bell peppers.
Difficulty with stool
The meat contains almost no fiber. We typically get fiber
from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. According to experts, among the
first signs of a lack of fiber may be constipation, and discomfort and pain
during stool passage.
Add more healthy carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and
vegetables to your diet.
You can hurt your heart
Fiber prevents your body from absorbing cholesterol, thereby
protecting your heart.
If you love red meat or processed meats, and at the same time do
not eat enough fiber-rich foods, then you are even more harmful to your heart.
These meats are high in saturated fats, which research shows can
raise bad cholesterol levels and in turn raise the risk of heart disease.
Processed meats such as salami, sausages and bacon are known to be
bad for the heart. The American Heart Association recommends limiting
saturated fat intake to 5-6% of your total calories.
You will have to fight bloating
Eating a lot of meat (which is high in saturated fat) can lead to
bloating, according to one study published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
It’s also worth noting that meat products don’t have enough
antioxidants to combat bloating.
Experts advise following the “color diet”, according to
which each color of a particular fruit and vegetable is a separate group of
antioxidants that act in different ways and bring their benefits to the body.
Increased risk of kidney stones
Excess protein can harm the kidneys. Proteins that can be
found in animal products contain purines – nitrogen-containing compounds that
enter our body through food. Their metabolic product is uric acid.
Large amounts of uric acid increase the risk of kidney stones. Most
people shouldn’t have much of a problem breaking down proteins, but watch your
intake if you have kidney problems.
You can gain weight.
Our bodies rely on protein for muscle repair, but too much of it
can have an undesirable side effect: if you eat more protein than you need it,
it isn’t stored as protein later on, but as fat.
You need to consume exactly as much protein as the body needs.
Cancer risk increases
Research shows that eating a lot of red meat may increase your
risk of developing colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon).
The World Cancer Research Foundation and the American
Institute for Cancer Research in 2018 found that eating more than 0.5
kg of red meat per week can increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
According to the American Institute for Cancer Research,
regular consumption of meat products can make you more vulnerable to stomach
and rectal cancers. Scientists speculate that this may be due to the
saturated fat in these foods. Try replacing beef, pork, and meat products
with poultry or plant-based proteins such as legumes.
Dehydration
We know that meat products are high in protein. But eating too
much protein leads to an increase in uric acid levels.
Because of this, you may notice that you are very thirsty. The
kidneys need more water to dilute this toxic waste.
We need water to produce urine. If you’re not careful, it can
lead to dehydration, so make sure you drink enough water.