Consistent consumption of red meat may promote the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in women.
This study explored the impact of a meaty diet on a woman's risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Researchers used validated food frequency questionnaires and hospital records to assess the eating habits and health of 77,795 US women recruited from the Nurses' Health Study II Cohort.
Researchers discovered that women who ate 2-4 servings of processed and unprocessed red meat per week had a 20% increase in the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease compared to their counterparts who completely avoided these animal foods. The researchers theorized that red meat promotes the accumulation of excess body fats, which trigger the onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This 2022 study of American women documented a harmful association between frequent intake of red meat and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk.