Although the association between meat consumption and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been extensively investigated, studies focusing specifically on the relationship between white meat consumption and CVD risk factors are fewer with controversial findings. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between white meat consumption and the incidence of cardiometabolic risk factors. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed articles was conducted from 2010 to 2022 (1 November), according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Thirteen prospective cohort studies were selected studying mainly poultry, with the exception of one study that also analyzed rabbit meat. From the seven studies on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, four studies found no association, two studies found positive associations, and two studies found inverse associations when comparing poultry to other meats. Of the two studies on the risk of hypertension, one observed no association and one a positive association. Of the two studies on weight management, one observed a positive association with weight gain, the other study observed the same relationship only for chicken with skin, while for chicken without skin a positive relationship with relative weight loss was found. As for metabolic syndrome and its components, two studies revealed inverse associations with white meat intake. Only fresh lean white meat consumption seems to have potential beneficial effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Future research should scrutinize consumption habits related to white meat intake when investigating its association with cardiometabolic risk factors.
Keywords: CVD risk factors; cardiometabolic risk factors; white meat consumption.