Canada

Canadian Study Finds Animal Protein Not Linked to Higher Death Risk

Published AUG 28 2025

Story

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The Facts

McMaster University researchers analyzed data from nearly 16,000 adults aged 19 and older using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine protein consumption patterns and mortality risk.
National Post
FOX News
Their study, published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, found no increased risk of death associated with higher intake of animal protein, contradicting some previous research that linked animal protein consumption to increased mortality risk.
SciTech Daily
EurekAlert!
Data showed a "modest but significant" reduction in cancer-related mortality among participants who consumed more animal protein, with a 5% lower risk of dying from cancer.
Daily Mail
Brighter World
Researchers employed advanced statistical methods, including the National Cancer Institute method and multivariate Markov Chain Monte Carlo modeling, to estimate long-term dietary intake and minimize measurement error.
Discover Magazine
Brighter World
The study found no associations between total protein, animal protein or plant protein and risk of death from any cause, cardiovascular disease or cancer when analyzed separately.
Pubmed
ScienceDaily
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association funded the research, although the organization was not involved in the study design, data collection, analysis or publication of the findings.
National Post
New York Post

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This groundbreaking research, which used gold-standard methods to analyze real data from thousands of diverse, healthy people, finally cuts through decades of anti-meat propaganda and shows what many have suspected all along. Animal protein doesn't kill people — it might actually protect them from cancer and chronic disease.

Brighter World

Narrative B

These findings contradict established health guidance from major organizations like the Canadian Cancer Society and the World Health Organization, which explicitly warn against consuming red and processed meat. The beef industry's funding of this study raises serious questions about potential bias, despite claims of independence.

Cancer Council NSW

Canadian Cancer Society

Metaculus Prediction

Editor's Note

This story currently has limited reporting from left-wing sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.