A recent study by scientists suggests that eating more meat is not beneficial for bone growth, especially for elderly women. Excessive protein intake from animal products, including meat and cheese, can lead to bone fractures and bone loss. Experts recommend that they obtain protein from vegetables, as the protein found in vegetables is very helpful for their bone growth.
Researchers from the University of California surveyed 1,000 elderly women aged 65 to 80, involving 64 different types of food in their questionnaire. Their results showed that women who primarily absorbed protein from meat and dairy products had a bone loss rate three times higher than women who got their protein from vegetables. However, experts also stated that this does not mean they should stop eating meat and dairy products, but rather should try to eat more fruits and vegetables. Some scholars also believe that a high protein intake, when combined with calcium-rich foods, will not have an impact on bone health.
In addition to a 3 times higher rate of bone loss, experts found that women who consumed excessive protein from meat had a 3.7 percentage point higher risk of bone fractures compared to others. However, scientists are not advocating that people should stop eating meat altogether. Although there may be the aforementioned adverse consequences, meat products are also beneficial for certain diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.