Diet warning: Avoiding red meat could have THIS unwanted side effect

DIETS which encourage people to lower their intake of red meat - including streak, sausages and bacon - could be having negative side effects on health, experts have claimed.

Diet plan: Cutting red meat from diet could harm health GETTY

Diet plan: Cutting red meat from diet could harm health

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Health messages to reduce red meat intakes could prevent women absorbing vital minerals and vitamins, particularly intakes of zinc and vitamin D.

Analysis of the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) data has revealed that women eating less than 40g of red meat a day were more likely to have micronutrient intakes below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) for zinc, iron, vitamin B12 and potassium.

They were also found to have lower habitual vitamin D intakes than women consuming between 40g and 69g daily.

Intakes below the LRNI are almost certainly not enough for most people, experts said.

Dr Emma Derbyshire, an independent Public Health nutritionist and study author said: "Encouraging all population groups to eat less red meat can clearly exacerbate the nutrient shortfalls that are apparent in some at-risk groups.

"This study shows a clear correlation between low consumption of red meat and lower intakes of key nutrients that are essential for good health.

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Diet plan: Red meat could help absorption of minerals and vitamims GETTY

Diet plan: Red meat could help absorption of minerals and vitamims

"Red meat is a nutrient dense food and is the most readily absorbed source of iron in our diet.

"Average intakes are well within the recommendation of up to 70g per day and the ongoing problem of iron and zinc insufficiency in women suggest that some groups should actually be eating more red meat, not less."

Data from 2,021 women aged 11 to 64 years from years 2008/2009 to 2011/2012 was analysed by experts.

Among the participants the average intake of red and processed meat from NDNS years 5 and 6 of the survey were 47g per day for women aged 19 to 64 years, with 43 per cent of UK women eating less than 40g.

These intakes are substantially lower than recommended levels which was up to 70g of red meat per day.

Overall mean daily iron and zinc intakes were below the LRNI in 30.5 and 9.8 percent of participants, respectively.

Eating red meat could prevent absorption of zinc and Vitamin D

A further 14.7 per cent and a quarter - 25.1 per cent had riboflavin and potassium intakes below the LRNI, respectively.

Nearly half of the participants - 48.5 per cent - had selenium intakes below the LRNI.

The result showed average vitamin D intake was 1.98mg per day.

When comparing data between UK females with total red meat intakes less than 40g daily and those eating between 40g and 69g daily, the micronutrient intakes were continually lower in females who consumed less than 40g.

The proportion of individuals with micronutrients below the LRNI was significantly higher for iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and potassium among those consuming less than 40g total red meat a fay compared to those eating between 40g and 69g.

Women are at a particularly high risk of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA).

Red meat diet: Some women should eat more red meat, not less GETTY

Red meat diet: Some women should eat more red meat, experts claim