A new study is challenging previously held misconceptions about the relationship between animal protein and health.

The study, published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism , shows that eating animal-sourced protein is not linked to a higher risk of death and may even provide protective benefits against cancer-related mortality.

Utah State University Extension beef cattle specialist David Secrist said these results are encouraging.

“This is a revealing study that sheds light on something that many of us have known for a long time,” he said. “Animal-derived protein is a nutritious and flavorful part of a healthy diet for people of all ages.”

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 16,000 adults ages 19 and older using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (

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