What you need to know: Pork and chronic disease

Fresh pork is a nutrient-dense, high-quality protein that fits into dietary patterns designed to manage risk factors of chronic diseases, including heart disease, obesity, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Backed by randomized controlled trials and expert guidelines, pork can be part of healthy, culturally inclusive and budget-conscious eating patterns.

HEART HEALTH

Blood Pressure1 - Lean pork lowers blood pressure as effectively as fish or chicken when eaten in the DASH diet.

Cholestrol2 (LDL, Total) - Lean pork can be eaten as part of a Mediterranean style diet and still lower total cholesterol.

Trimethylamine n-oxide3 - Lean pork with fruits, veggies, and grains doesn’t raise heart risks vs. chicken, based on gut markers like TMAO.

Heart Problems4 - Eating red meats like lean pork does not appear to be linked to heart disease, stroke or other heart problems.

DID YOU KNOW?

Studies show consuming unprocessed red meat, including pork, does not lead to weight gain or obesity, or worsen risk factors for related metabolic diseases like blood lipids or blood pressure.5,6,7

Several cuts of pork are Heart-Check Certified by the American Heart Association.8,9

• Pork tenderloin

• Sirloin pork roast

• Sirloin pork chop

Eight pork cuts meet the USDA definition for "lean":8*

• Tenderloin

• Sirloin chops

• 96% lean ground pork

1 serving of pork is 3 ounces of a muscle cut (like a tenderloin or pork chop), 3 ounces of ground, 3 ounces of ham