2017 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved. In general terms, a healthful diet is frequently described as one that fulfills daily nutritional needs and also helps prevent or reduce the risk associated with developing chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. Meat is typically recognized as being a good source of protein, but it is less frequently recognized or appreciated for the key micronutrients that it provides. Although lean meat provides essential nutrients that help fulfill daily nutritional needs, there is a great deal of controversy and conflicting research and opinions surrounding the relationship between meat consumption and the risks of developing some chronic disease. It is extremely difficult to confirm exact relationships between a single food or an individual component in a food and its impact on health because there are many confounding factors, such as environmental influences, genetic predispositions, and differences in lifestyles and dietary intakes.
