A new study is challenging previously held misconceptions about the relationship between animal protein and health.
The study, published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, shows that eating animal-sourced protein is not linked to a higher risk of death and may even provide protective benefits against cancer-related mortality.
Utah State University Extension beef cattle specialist David Secrist said these results are encouraging.
“This is a revealing study that sheds light on something that many of us have known for a long time,” he said. “Animal-derived protein is a nutritious and flavorful part of a healthy diet for people of all ages.”
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 16,000 adults ages 19 and older using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–2006). The study examined the amount of animal and plant protein participants typically consumed and whether these patterns were associated with risk of death from heart disease, cancer, or other causes.
The findings revealed no association between animal protein or plant protein intake and overall mortality, no link between either protein source and mortality from cardiovascular disease, and a possible inverse relationship between animal protein intake and cancer mortality.
Stuart Phillips, professor and chair of the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University, who supervised the research, said the study helps clear up confusion.
“There’s a lot of confusion around protein—how much to eat, what kind, and what it means for long-term health,” Phillips said. “This study adds clarity, which is important for anyone trying to make informed, evidence-based decisions about what they eat.”
While observational studies cannot prove cause and effect, they remain valuable in identifying patterns and associations across large populations. Combined with decades of clinical trial evidence, the results support the inclusion of animal proteins as part of a healthy dietary pattern.
Find recipes for beef, chicken, and pork on the USU Extension website.