Zoë Harcombe examines six 2019 papers that reassessed the evidence behind recommendations to reduce red and processed meat. The randomized trials found no significant health effects from eating more or less red meat, but Harcombe argues even these studies provide weak evidence because none changed meat intake alone—the diets differed in numerous other ways. Three large reviews of observational studies found associations between lower meat consumption and better cardiovascular or cancer outcomes were very small, while the certainty of the evidence was consistently rated low or very low.

The resulting recommendation was that adults could continue their current consumption of both unprocessed and processed red meat, although the panel characterized that advice as weak because the underlying evidence was uncertain. Harcombe argues the more important finding is just how little reliable evidence exists to support guidelines telling people to eat less meat. She also highlights the backlash that followed publication, including calls for the papers to be retracted, despite their extensive review of the available evidence and explicit acknowledgment of its limitations.

https://www.zoeharcombe.com/2019/10/meat-guidelines-the-evidence/