Red meat not as bad as you think

Christina Strynatka
Contributor

Eating red meat may not really be as bad for you as previously thought, according to researcher Frank Kachanoff from McGill University.
In a study recently completed by the undergraduate, the sight of red meat apparently helped calm male test subjects. The test involved a script reader showing pictures of meat and neutral images to 82 male subjects; the subjects would then push buttons to trigger sounds of various volumes if a mistake was made. To everyone’s surprise, the pictures of meat didn’t cause as many loud sounds as the other images.
“I guess it would make me feel calm,” said York student Brandon Kennedy, a first-year visual arts major who finds the taste of steak enjoyable. “It’s because steaks are really good. I like eating steak.”
Before the study, Kachanoff reasoned his subjects would respond in an aggressive manner, as the processes involved triggering the sympathetic nervous system that should theoretically increase the respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Once he compiled the results, however, Kachanoff reasoned that perhaps the meat actually had a calming effect because of the rituals involved in putting the meat on the table, dating back to our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Hunting groups had to be formed, which required organization and co-operation; strategies in bringing down the animals had to be employed, which meant that everyone had a specific role to play; and finally, dinner had to be brought home.
Kachanoff was intrigued by these results, but hopes to expand his study next year by including images of actual animals and carcasses instead of simply meat, to see if it garners the same conclusion.
FIVE FACTS ABOUT RED MEAT ›
1. Feeling full
Helps you feel more satisfied than carbohydrate foods.
2. Nutrition
Provides the body with a variety of nutrients including protein, B vitamins, magnesium, iron and zinc.
3. Avoids heart disease
Moderate amounts of lean meat help to avoid heart disease according to Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization.
4. Lowers cholesterol
Lean red meat with the outer fat removed can help lower cholesterol.
5. Average serving
The average serving for one day is 60 to 75 grams, three times a week.