🥩 Beef or chicken? A study challenges a common belief

A common belief in the food domain is that red meat is harmful to metabolism, unlike white meat. However, a recent study clarifies this belief, showing that, within a balanced diet, its consumption does not appear to pose particular difficulties for blood sugar regulation.

This research, published in Current Developments in Nutrition, involved 24 overweight or obese adults, presenting a prediabetic state. The scientists opted for a crossover trial protocol. Thus, each participant followed two different diets for 28 days each, separated by a break. Daily, their meals contained either beef or poultry, while maintaining their other eating habits.


The measurements taken before and after each phase focused notably on the function of pancreatic β cells, which produce insulin, and on sensitivity to this hormone. The data indicate that after daily ingestion of about 6 to 7 ounces (170 to 198 grams) of beef or poultry, no marked distinction was observed in these metabolic parameters.

For Kevin C Maki, professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and lead author, these observations confirm that beef, integrated into a balanced diet, can contribute to cardiovascular health without disrupting blood sugar control. Indika Edirisinghe, from the Illinois Institute of Technology, adds that the duration of the study, although one month, allows detection of significant metabolic changes.

The crossover trial method adopted here strengthens the robustness of the observations. Indeed, it allows a direct comparison between protein sources while mitigating individual variations. This approach is therefore well-suited to analyze the specific effects of foods within particular groups.

The implications of this work are notable for current nutritional advice. They emphasize the need to consider diet as a whole, beyond the sole examination of an isolated food.