Lean Beef in a Mediterranean Diet May Improve Heart Health, Study Finds
A new study suggests that lean beef, when incorporated into a Mediterranean diet, may help lower blood pressure compared to a typical Western diet. Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health tested the effects on heart health in a group of healthy adults. The trial, led by Dr. Marta Guasch-Ferré in 2023, involved 30 healthy participants. They followed four different eating plans over several weeks: an average American diet with 2.5 oz of non-lean beef daily, and three Mediterranean diets with varying amounts of lean beef (0.5 oz, 2.5 oz, or 5.5 oz per day). The trial highlights that moderate amounts of lean beef in a Mediterranean diet may support heart health without raising TMAO levels. However, experts caution against excessive red meat consumption and emphasize the importance of balanced eating. The findings provide new insights but are limited to healthy adults under controlled conditions.
