Citing evidence, Dr Greger noted a meaty lunch could be bad for you for numerous reasons.
From its saturated fat content to the high level of salt, another reason a burger might be unhealthy is due to trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO).
Dr Greger explained that the carnitine in meat “is converted by our gut bacteria into trimethylamine”.
Dr Greger added that trimethylamine is “oxidised by our liver to TMAO, which may then contribute to heart attacks, stroke, and death”.
Any type of processed meat – such as ham, bacon, sausages, salami, and sliced luncheon turkey and chicken – would not be the healthiest lunch to have.
READ MORE: Four fruit juices that could slash your risk of heart disease – high in potassium
Researchers at the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Population Health conducted the largest systematic review of the prospective evidence to date.
Looking at health data from 13 cohort studies, which involved over 1.4 million people over a 30-year period, the analysis put forward an interesting finding.
The evidence concluded that “each 50 g/day higher intake of processed meat increased the risk of coronary heart disease by 18 percent”.
Processed meat has a high salt content, which raises blood pressure; high blood pressure is a well-established risk factor for coronary heart disease.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes coronary heart disease increases stroke risk.
Dr Greger said: “The large majority of the available evidence is in favour of a protective association between fruit and vegetable consumption and the risk of stroke.”
Thus, when it comes to lunchtime meals, one that incorporates vegetables, for example, would be ideal.
An example would be a chopped salad with chickpeas and olives.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp. red-wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. ground pepper
- 1 (15 oz.) can no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
- ⅓ cup chopped parsley
- ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
- ¼ cup halved Kalamata olives
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions:
- Whisk oil, vinegar, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl
- Add chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, onion, olives and feta; toss to coat.
The NHS says: “The best way to help prevent a stroke is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol.”
According to the health body, while these lifestyle measures should help to minimise stroke risk, for some, medication might be needed to treat underlying health conditions, such as high cholesterol.
Familial hypercholesterolaemia, for example, is an inherited condition that causes high cholesterol – a risk factor for a stroke – no matter how healthily you eat.
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