Meat consumption varies worldwide, depending on cultural or religious preferences, as well as economic conditions or health concern.

Meat contains protein and human body needs these proteins to maintain cellular tissue, so it`s a good idea to have it in a regular basis. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends that adults eat five to six ounces of meat per day.

A study of 400,000 subjects conducted by the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition and published in 2013 showed "a moderate positive association between processed meat consumption and mortality, in particular due to cardiovascular diseases, but also to cancer.

Cancer

Red meat and processed meat were found to be associated with higher risk of cancers of the lung, esophagus, liver, and colon, pancreatic cancer among others, although also a reduced risk for some minor type of cancers.

Heart disease

A major Harvard University study in 2010 involving over one million people who ate meat found that only processed meat had an adverse risk in relation to coronary heart disease. The study suggests that eating 50g (less than 2oz) of processed meat per day increases risk of coronary heart disease by 42 percent and diabetes by 19 percent. Equivalent levels of fat, including saturated fats, in unprocessed meat.

Hormones fed to cattle harms human health

Most traditionally raised beef calves go from 80 pounds to 1,200 pounds in a period of about 14 months. This is not a natural feat. Along with enormous quantities of grain (usually corn) and protein supplements, calves are implanted with various drugs and hormones. Measurable amounts of hormones in traditionally raised beef are transferred to humans, which can result in cancer, premature puberty and falling sperm counts.

Antibiotics in cattle affect human heath

About nine million pounds of antibiotic feed additives are used annually in the cattle-raising process, also to prevent disease outbreaks that could easily fester since the animals are raised in such crowded conditions. This routine antibiotic use is contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in humans.

Other affects:
(i)    Reduces memory and brain capability.
(ii)    Gaining excessive weight.
(iii)    Risk of high blood pressure.
(iv)    Risk of brain stroke and so on.

Along with antibiotics, traditionally raised cattle are given various vaccines and other drugs. So we should avoid excess eating of beef or other meat at the Eid-ul-Azha to save our life by avoiding hazardous health condition.

BDST: 0857 HRS, OCT 12, 2013
AIA/RS/BSK- eic@banglanews24.com