As rumors continue to swirl regarding a possible forced red meat reduction, the public is debating the benefits and risks of red meat. It should be no surprise there are varying schools of thought split down the middle 50/50. For every red meat proponent, there is a red meat opponent. Believe it or not, just like people, the science does not always agree. As of late, this debate has adopted the ethical and environmental impact of red meat, in addition to the health argument.

Those who enjoy the taste of an expertly grilled skirt steak also enjoy the health benefits accompanying each bite. Nutrients coming from red meat are important to the human body. Vitamins and iron from red meat help the body produce new red blood cells. Protein contained in red meat builds muscle and bone strength. Great taste, nutritional value, red meat sounds like the total package, right? Well, that depends on who is being asked.

The anti-red meat lobby is armed with data and studies suggesting regular consumption of red meat risks heart disease, cancer, and numerous other health concerns. These risks come with fine print that over-consuming can greatly increase a steak lover’s odds of those afflictions. A steak here or a burger there likely will not lead to health problems. However, a daily diet of steak & eggs, cheeseburger lunch, and a Porterhouse steak for dinner may lead to health issues. Is that enough to diminish the red meat industry? We asked a prominent Cinniapolis butcher for his opinion.

“It’s not about the health. It’s about freedom,” said Gregory Dragg, owner of Dragg Meat & Dairy. “The establishment still produces tobacco, rolls it in paper and lets people smoke until their tarred lungs are content. So, red meat is the same. If someone wants to eat red meat all day, every day, that’s their God-given right. No politician should be able to say otherwise.” But what about studies that indicate heavy consumption of red meat can be detrimental to one’s health, “I don’t trust those studies. The organizations are bought and paid for by power hungry politicians. Red meat has been a plentiful source of nutrition since the dawn of man. Now because some over sensitive, silver spoon hippy has an agenda, red meat is the death of us all. Sounds a bit extreme to me.”

Cinniapolis Council City Manager, Justine Wellington, introduced a bill that would sharply reduce the amount of red meat that can be sold or produced within Cinniapolis city limits. Her office had no comment for this story. Nonetheless, she is on record previously stating that red meat production and consumption is not only a public health crisis, but a climate crisis and is in dire need of government oversight.

There you have it, red meat is beneficial and also a danger to society, it just depends on who you ask.