Should we stop eating red meat?

A recent study by Harvard university found that eating red meat more than twice a week put a serious increase on the risk of bowel cancer. The government has now issued a warning for us all to limit our intake to no more than two portions a week. Should we keep red meat in our diet at all? ELLE finds out the real pros and cons of eating red meat.

Red meat is one of the richest natural sources of zinc, albeit unprocessed, lean forms of red meat (think lean steaks with little fat). Zinc is essential for a healthy immune system, to build muscle and even considered essential for healthy fertility. A 200g lean steaks once a week provides a natural source of zinc, a mineral for a healthy system. If you decide to use a supplement, ELLE loves Zinc Citrate, £6, by Lamberts.

If you are going to keep red meat in your diet, opt for lean, unprocessed options. Processed meats like sausages and cured meats have very high levels of salt which are not only detrimental to cholesterol levels when coupled with high levels of saturated fats, but can have a direct effect on increased risk of cardiovascular and heart disease. Bangers and mash may be tempting but it's best to keep these "treats" to a minimum.

High level sources of protein have a huge impact on serotonin levels (the happy hormone) some studies have even found that increasing the intake of protein, particularly lean red meat has a positive effect against depression. Switching to a high protein diet instantly increases the levels of amino acid, tryptophan production in the brain. Lean red meat is one of the highest sources of tryptophan and has a direct effect on serotonin levels. One portion of red meat a week is enough to have a significant effect.

You knew I was going to say it, iron. This is such an essential mineral for the body, integral for red blood cells , the immune system and a healthy metabolism. Red meat can comfortably provide 17% of the recommended portion dose of iron for a healthy diet, and it is one of the easiest sources from which to absorb the mineral. There are alternatives like spinach and legumes but red meat is really the best source.

A hormone called IGF-1 (an Insulin-like growth factor) is stimulated in our bodies by the saturated fat found in red meat and has been linked to an increase in the risk of prostrate and breast cancer. The current research doesn't tell us how this happens, but lean meat such as fish and chicken doesn't have the same effect.