
Important brain-supporting elements including vitamin B12 and choline, which promote neural development in children and cognitive function in older adults, are included in its nutritional profile. However, there is concerning news for people who regularly eat chicken based on a recent study.
According to research, eating 300 grams or more of chicken every week may increase your risk of developing cancer. The findings are surprising because most people believe that chicken is a safe and healthful protein choice. According to recent research, it is crucial to watch how much we eat and to eat chicken in moderation.
However, eating just 300 grams of chicken can induce stomach cancer, according to a recent study. Consuming more than 300 g of white meat per week was linked to a statistically significant increased risk of death from all causes and gastrointestinal cancer, according to the first study published in Nutrients. Men were at a higher risk than women.
What the study has found?
According to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, one to three meals a week should include approximately 100 grams of poultry (duck, geese, game birds, turkey, and chicken). Given that red and processed meats have already sparked concerns, the study sought to close knowledge gaps about the health risks of eating poultry.
Study details:
There were more than 4,000 participants.
Information gathered from expert medical interviews
Data collected includes demographics, health information, lifestyle choices, and medical records.
For 19 years, the participants were observed and subjected to standardized physical measurements.
Key Findings:
People eating over 300 grams of poultry per week had a 27% higher risk of mortality compared to those eating less than 100 grams
Men eating more than 300 grams weekly had twice the risk of gastrointestinal cancer mortality
Meat consumption breakdown among deceased participants (out of 1,028):
Red meat: 59% of weekly meat intake.
White meat: 41% of weekly meat intake, with poultry making up 29% of white meat.
Mortality risks were also seen in people eating over 100 grams of chicken weekly.
Standard chicken portion references:
A skinless, boneless chicken breast typically weighs 174 grams
A standard portion is approximately 85 grams
Study Limitations:
Inadequate information on the intake of processed poultry
Results may be impacted since physical activity levels were not taken into account.
Since it is an observational study, correlation rather than direct cause is demonstrated.
However, it stated that additional research is required to validate our results and get additional knowledge regarding processed poultry.
The study's shortcomings, such as the lack of data on the intake of processed poultry, were also noted by the researchers. The association between nutrition and health measurements may be impacted since physical activity levels were not taken into account. Since it is an observational study, correlations rather than causes are presented.
The Crux of the Study
The study highlights important health risks linked to consuming a lot of poultry, especially the aforementioned recommendations. Men were more likely to develop gastrointestinal cancer, and consuming more than 300 grams of poultry per week was linked to a significantly higher risk of mortality.
The study urges more research, particularly on processed chicken and other lifestyle factors like exercise, even if the findings show a connection between consuming too much fowl and health risks. Consuming chicken in moderation is still advised for the time being, and people are encouraged to follow dietary recommendations to guarantee they eat a healthy, balanced diet.