Too much red meat bad for bowels

EATING large amounts of unprocessed meat has been linked to an increased risk of getting an inflammatory bowel condition, according to a new study.

Researchers analysed information about the diets of more than 46,000 men in the US, of whom 764 developed the condition, called diverticulitis, over a period of 26 years.

Those who ate the highest amounts of red meat had a 58% higher chance of getting the disease compared to those who consumed the least, the study found.

However, the scientists, from Harvard Medical School and other leading academic and medical institutions in Boston, said it was unclear how red meat might affect the disease.

Saying further research was required, they suggested it might affect the bacteria in the gut, which in turn could alter the immune system and irritate the gut lining.

The link was stronger for unprocessed than processed red meat, which the researchers speculated could be because higher cooking temperatures used in the latter reduced the effect.

The researchers said those in their sample tended to smoke more, take less vigorous exercise and eat less fibre. And those who ate more fish and poultry instead also usually smoked less and exercised harder.

But the scientists said the link persisted despite taking these potentially-significant factors into account.

Writing in the journal Gut, the scientists said: “We found that intake of red meat, particularly unprocessed red meat, was associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis. Substitution of unprocessed red meat with poultry or fish may reduce the risk of diverticulitis.”

Full-blown diverticulitis can result in severe abdominal pain, especially on the left side, a fever and diarrhoea or frequent bowel movements. – The Independent

For those who wish to celebrate at home, the treasures are packed in a high quality steel pot that is made for easy reheating before serving. Each pot also comes in a gold takeaway bag for easy transport and also as a classy gift.

As an added bonus this year, Dragon-i is also offering a special takeaway promotion of three dishes with the purchase of a Prosperity Abalone Treasure Pot.

The dishes are the vegetarian shark’s fin and seafood soup at RM108 instead of RM138, the fried glutinous rice with waxed meat at RM68 instead of RM88, and the assorted roast meat platter ( above) at RM128 instead of RM168.

For more, visit the Dragon-i website. – Mei Choo