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. 2020 Dec 15;15(12):e0244007.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244007. eCollection 2020.

Association between meat intake and mortality due to all-cause and major causes of death in a Japanese population

Eiko Saito  1   2 , Xiaohe Tang  3 , Sarah Krull Abe  2 , Norie Sawada  2 , Junko Ishihara  4 , Ribeka Takachi  5 , Hiroyasu Iso  6 , Taichi Shimazu  2 , Taiki Yamaji  2 , Motoki Iwasaki  2 , Manami Inoue  2 , Shoichiro Tsugane  2 ; JPHC Study Group
Affiliations

Association between meat intake and mortality due to all-cause and major causes of death in a Japanese population

Eiko Saito et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Purpose: We examined the association between meat intake and mortality due to all-cause and major causes of death using a population-based cohort study in Japan.

Methods: 87,507 Japanese aged between 45 and 74 years old at 5-year follow-up study were followed for 14.0 years on average. Associations between meat intake and mortality risk were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results: A heavy intake of total meat was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality relative to the lowest quartile intake in men (Q4: HR,1.18; 95%CIs, 1.06-1.31). A higher intake of total meat was associated with a lower risk of stroke mortality in women (Q2: HR, 0.70; 95%CIs, 0.51-0.94, Q3: HR, 0.68; 95%CIs, 0.50-0.95, Q4: HR, 0.66; 95%CIs, 0.44-0.99). A heavy intake of red meat was also associated with all-cause mortality (Q4: HR, 1.13; 95%CIs, 1.02-1.26) and heart disease mortality (Q4: HR, 1.51; 95%CIs, 1.11-2.06) in men but not in women. Heavy intake of chicken was inversely associated with cancer mortality in men.

Conclusions: Heavy intakes of total and red meat were associated with an increase in all-cause and heart disease mortality in men, while total meat intake was associated with a lower risk of stroke mortality in women.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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