The last few decades, more and more countries are embarking
on higher consumption of livestock products, making a shiftin their
daily diet towards a western approach. Focusing on red meat, the
global annual consumptionper capita is forecastto reach45.3 kg, on
average, by 2030 (i.e., twice as high as the respective assessment
during 70 s) [1]; while in a recent estimation regarding Mediterranean
area, a range from 77 to 90 kg individual red meat intake
per year was highlighted [2]. Indeed, red meat and its products are
highly preferable food items due to their energy, macronutrient
(i.e., protein and fat) and salt content, nutritional characteristics
which contribute to tastefulness and satiety; whereas regarding
its micronutrient profile, a wide range of minerals (i.e., heme
iron, zinc) and vitamins (i.e., vitamin A, B12), reasonably make
it an important source of essential substances for human beings
[3].
Health status as regards red meat consumers has always been
a scientific field of much interest. Accumulating data have extensively
indicated a significant link between red meat consumption
(i.e., total, unprocessed and processed) and major non communicable
diseases (NCDs), with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and
cancer being on the top of the rank. (Table 1) Over the last
five years, several meta-analysis have partially demonstrated the
aggravating role of red meat on adults’ health; proposing a clear
positive association of processed meat and CVD (i.e., coronary
heart disease (CHD), stroke), cancer incidence (i.e., colon, lung,
pancreatic) and mortality but making questionable whether this
negative prospect remains as regards the fresh, unprocessed meat
[4–7].
The fundamental role of diet, either as a pattern or as isolated
food items and nutrients, in the prevention of morbidity and mortality
is given. More importantly, according to American Heart
Association guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, nutritional needs are
highly dependent on humans’ age stage, usually accompanied by
a certain health background or predisposition [8,9]. (Table 2)Thus,
it should be acknowledged that those in advanced age are quite
a vulnerable category; the older an individual become, the more
susceptible to NCDs and malnutrition (i.e., protein and vitamins
deficiency)tend to be [10,11]. Considering the 2011 report ofWorld
Health Organization (WHO), a tremendous raise of older people
(>65years old) is projected to nearly triple the global ageing population
by 2050; hence, this remarkable increase in life expectancy
demands better strategies and further research so as to deal with
disease burden challenges and achieve not only longevity, but also
healthy aging [12]. In Ikaria study, healthier lifestyle close to the
Mediterranean model seemed to manage age-related cardiac co
morbidities; whereas the potential contribution of dietto cognitive
and physical function, which are prerequisite for successful aging,
was suggested [13]. In accordance to this prospect, a modified pyramid
for individuals over 65 years old has been recently proposed;
adequate high-quality protein intake (i.e., lean red meat) is salient
so as to avoid aging-oriented muscle tissue loss whilst the simultaneous
moderation of red meatintake due to high prevalent diseases
(i.e., CVD and cancer) in advanced age is stressed [14,15].
Consequently, the aim of the present review was to focus on
studies that have investigated the health impact of red meat consumption,
a dietary component of much interest and extensive
debate in a special age group, the older individuals.