What's inside red Meat, and where does it go in your body?
A rich source of heme iron, zinc and B12. Processed meats are a separate evidence story.
Notable for
Protein, heme iron, zinc, vitamin B12, selenium.
Evidence
IARC classifies processed meat as Group 1 (carcinogenic) and red meat as Group 2A (probably carcinogenic) for colorectal cancer. Hazard class isn't risk size: each 50 g/day of processed meat is associated with about an 18% relative increase in colorectal cancer risk.
Evidence & sources
Processed meat is classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1); red meat as probably carcinogenic (Group 2A). Evidence: established. Known: IARC working group review of 800+ studies. Unknown: Mechanisms are not fully defined; absolute risk increase is modest. Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO), IARC Monographs Volume 114 — Red meat and processed meat (2015 (published 2018)).