Red meat is one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. It's packed full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients that have overwhelmingly positive effects on a person's health.
But that message often gets lost among the scare tactics and sensationalist headlines generated by people who have a vested interest in pushing their anti-red meat agenda on the public.
It's only when you shut out the noise and look more closely for yourself at the studies being used to demonise red meat, that you begin to see how fundamentally flawed they are.
Almost all of the studies that "prove" red meat causes harm are observational studies.
Observational studies are a quick fix. They are generally low-quality studies that tell us that people who eat a lot of red meat are more likely to get sick, but without the disclaimer that their illness could just as likely be the result of genetics or other lifestyle factors.
Observational studies therefore provide hints and are useful for generating theories, but unlike randomised controlled trials - the gold standard of science - the findings cannot be tested.
When it comes to randomised controlled trials into red meat consumption, the results always end up showing the exact opposite of what many in the media and even sections of the medical profession would have us believe.
In fact, randomised controlled trials on red meat clearly demonstrate that there is no strong evidence linking red meat to disease in humans.
But don't take my word for it - I'm no scientist, I'm a cattle producer.
Instead, come along to Beef Australia 2021 in Rockhampton in the first week of May and listen to AgForce's keynote speaker Dr Gary Fettke deliver his seminar, 'Red meat under attack: the history, vested interests, and the real science'.
Dr Fettke is an orthopaedic surgeon and champion of how nutrition is crucial in the prevention and management of modern disease.
He has spoken around the world, including at three Senate Inquiries in Australia, about the health benefits of animal-based proteins and healthy fats in a balanced diet.
His eyes are wide open. He understands the scheming at play by those who continue to shape our dietary guidelines.
And most importantly, when it comes to red meat, he tells us we have nothing to fear.
Limited tickets to AgForce's 'red meat' seminar are available at beefaustralia.eventsair.com/ba2021/ticketsonsale/Site/Register.
