February is American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health. As cattle producers, you play a pivotal role in supporting the Beef Checkoff, a program that channels your $1 investment into valuable research demonstrating the positive impact of beef in a heart-healthy diet. Your investment into the Beef Checkoff is a small but significant contribution to funding research projects that explore the nutritional benefits of beef consumption.
Several studies funded by the Beef Checkoff aim to provide credible evidence and insights into how incorporating lean beef into a balanced diet can support a heart-healthy lifestyle. One such study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition1, found that people who participated in the Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD) Study maintained healthy blood cholesterol levels while consuming a dietary pattern rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and beans, with lean beef as the primary protein source. The BOLD diets contained 4-5.4 oz (weights before cooking) of lean beef daily, while providing less than 7% of calories from saturated fat, consistent with current fat intake targets. The BOLD study is one study of the body of evidence that supports including lean beef in a heart-healthy diet.
Additional research, also published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that following a Mediterranean-style healthy dietary pattern that incorporates fresh lean beef can reduce heart disease risk factors, including total and LDL cholesterol. By incorporating 7-18 ounces of cooked, lean red meat per week, individuals can improve their cardiometabolic disease risk factor including high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, and diabetes risk.2
The Beef WISE study, conducted by the University of Colorado Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, also demonstrates that eating lean beef four or more times a week, as part of a healthy, higher-protein diet, combined with physical activity, can help people lose weight and fat mass while maintaining lean muscle, and supporting heart health.3 This study shows that lean beef is just as effective as other protein choices to improve weight loss potential, body composition and support heart health, when included as part of a healthy, higher-protein diet.
This research adds to the growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating that lean beef can be part of various eating patterns that support improvements in cardiovascular health.1,2,4,5 In fact, over 20 studies of lean beef in healthy dietary patterns support a role for lean beef in a heart healthy diet and lifestyle.6
As cattle producers, your investment in the Beef Checkoff goes beyond supporting research; it empowers you to be ambassadors for the industry. By staying informed about the latest research findings and educational initiatives, you can play a crucial role in shaping positive perceptions that beef can be a part of a wholesome , and heart-healthy dietary pattern.
As we celebrate American Heart Month this February, take pride in the knowledge that your investment into the Beef Checkoff is making a tangible difference. By supporting research and education, you are contributing to a broader understanding of the role beef can play in a heart-healthy lifestyle.
1. Roussell MA, et al. Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet study: effects on lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:9-16.
2. O’Connor LE, et al. A Mediterranean-style eating pattern with lean, unprocessed red meat has cardiometabolic benefits for adults who are overweight or obese in a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2018;108:33-40.ii
3. Sayer DR, et al. Equivalent reductions in body weight during the Beef WISE Study: Beef’s Role in Weight Improvement, Satisfaction, and Energy. Obesity Science & Practice. 2017; 298-310.
4. Layman DK, et al. A moderate-protein diet produces sustained weight loss and long-term changes in body composition and blood lipids in obese adults. J Nutr 2009;139:514-21.
5. Maki KC, et al. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing lipid effects of beef with poultry and/or fish consumption. J Clin Lipidol 2012;6:352-61.
6. McNeill, SH. Inclusion of red meat in healthful dietary patterns. Meat Sci 2014;98:452-60.
By Makenzie Neves | Manager, Producer Education & Engagement, NBC