The current scientific evidence does not support the commonly held, but misinformed belief that cholesterol from the diet increases the risk of heart disease in healthy individuals. Many studies have found that including lean chicken as part of your eating pattern can lead to a reduction in “bad” LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, as well as less risk of heart disease.
Is Eating White Meat Like Chicken Bad For Cholesterol Levels?
A 2019 study that made media headlines found that “lean” white meat had the same effect on cholesterol levels as “lean” red meat. Because of how the study was designed, it was difficult to know if the results were caused by the meat or the other food items in the sample menu fed to study participants that contained high amounts of saturated fats.
The study also had a small sample size (113 people) and was done over a brief period (4 weeks) – so the results might not be the same with more people studied over a longer period.
Researchers in the study measured blood cholesterol levels, not actual incidents of heart issues or the development of heart disease. Blood cholesterol levels are markers of potential risk, but not evidence of cause-and-effect. The results of this study also do not hold up when looking at the larger body of evidence on white meat that assessed health associations of poultry versus associations with health markers.
- No link found between white meat consumption or overall meat consumption and higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
- White meat was associated with a 13% decrease in risk of stroke.
- Poultry intake is not associated with total stroke risk.
It is important to remember that whole diets and eating patterns matter more than single nutrients. Perfectly healthy diets are possible with both animal and plant proteins as well as an abundance of other plant-based foods. Chicken also has a role within the context of a low-fat eating plan or in a cholesterol-lowering diet. For example, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet emphasizes chicken, fish, and includes nuts and low-fat dairy products, alongside high amounts of fruits and vegetables.