London: Men with a diet rich in animal protein and meat such as sausages and cold cuts could be at a greater risk of death, finds a study.
The study found men who favoured animal protein over plant-based protein in their diet had a 23 per cent greater risk of death than men whose diet was more balanced in terms of their sources of protein.
In addition, a high overall intake of dietary protein was associated with a greater risk of death in men who had been diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer.
“These findings should not be generalised to older people who are at a greater risk of malnutrition and whose intake of protein often remains below the recommended amount,” said Heli Virtanen, a postdoctoral candidate from the University of Eastern Finland.
The findings highlight the need to investigate the health effects of protein intake, especially in people who have a pre-existing chronic medical condition.
For the study, the researchers included approximately 2,600 Finnish men aged between 42 and 60.
–IANS