It is known that red meat eaters are putting themselves at a risk of increased disease. We are looking at physical symptoms such as diverticulitis, which is a painful symptom of the lower digestive track. A new study has revealed that mean eating mostly red meat have a 58% higher risk of developing diverticulitis. Most physical symptoms of this condition are, as mentioned above, lower intestinal cramps and constipation. Now the study doesn't conclude that red meat is the culprit, however there is a consistent trend among high consumption of red meat and diverticulitis.
Hi intake of red meat (especially the GMO and conventionally grown meat) is linked to increased heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer (especially cured meats).
There is still no solid proof that humans can live without meat and this is an on going discussion, which in my opinion will never really have a definite answer. It is hard to tell whether our ancestors were meat eaters, herbivores or vegetarians.
However, for those that are a little afflicted by the effects of meat, there are many sources available to us that can provide us with the protein and essential fatty acids our bodies require. Wild caught cold water fish, free range eggs and animals, beans an nuts.
My personal take on this is if we eat all in moderation and have a tendency towards organic, non-gmo, pasture raised and grass fed animals who are free to graze and are not subjected to antibiotics and hormones, well we have not much to worry about except the next big issue - stress (that's a topic for another day).