Meat

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Meat

Meat (/miːt/) is animal flesh that is eaten as food. Humans have hunted and killed animals for meat since prehistoric times. The advent of civilization allowed the domestication of animals such as chickens, sheep, rabbits, pigs and cattle. This eventually led to their use in meat production on an industrial scale with the aid of slaughterhouses.

Etymology

The word meat comes from the Old English word 'mete', which referred to food in general. The term is related to mad in Danish, mat in Swedish and Norwegian, and matur in Icelandic and Faroese, which also mean 'food'.

Types of Meat

There are many types of meat, and each has its own specific nutritional content. The main types of meat include:

  • Red meat: This includes meats from mammals such as cows, sheep, and pigs.
  • White meat: This includes meats from poultry and fish.
  • Processed meat: This includes meats that have been modified through salting, curing, or smoking.

Health Effects

The consumption of meat has various health effects. While it is a great source of protein and essential nutrients, some meats are also high in saturated fat, which can contribute to heart disease. The World Health Organization has classified processed meats (e.g. bacon, ham, hot dogs, sausages) as a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) and red meat as a Group 2A carcinogen (probably causes cancer).

Ethical and Environmental Considerations

The production of meat has several ethical and environmental impacts. Many people choose to reduce or eliminate their meat consumption for these reasons. This has led to the rise of vegetarianism, veganism, and other diets that exclude or minimize meat.

See Also

External links

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