12% Of The Population Eats 50% Of U.S. Beef: Study

 Here’s a stat that will blow your mind: New research shows that just 12% of the U.S. population is responsible for 50% of all meat consumed daily in the country. Most of that group are men between the ages of 50 and 65.

The study was published in the journal “Nutrients” and its ultimate purpose is to assist in “educational” efforts on the dangers of eating meat — particularly for the planet, according to the researchers. So, these academics want to convince you to give up meat to combat climate change.

“We focused on beef because of its impact on the environment, and because it’s high in saturated fat, which is not good for your health,” the study’s corresponding and senior author Diego Rose, professor and nutrition program director at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, said in a statement.

As reported by the New York Post, Americans ate roughly 30 billion pounds of beef in 2021. The team behind the study thinks they might have a tough time trying to convince the 12% to change their ways.

“On one hand, if it’s only 12% accounting for half the beef consumption, you could make some big gains if you get those 12% on board,” Rose said. “On the other hand, those 12% may be most resistant to change.”

Interestingly enough, the authors of the study speculated men ate more red meat because of cultural norms — not because it tastes delicious.

“This may be because meat, especially red meat, is associated with masculinity, strength and power in Western culture,” they added.

One has to wonder whether or not the authors asked any red-blooded American male why he eats meat. There’s an obvious answer: Again, it’s delicious.

 

To reiterate, part of the goal of this study is for others to use it to try and convince you to sacrifice your ribeyes, beef hamburgers, and more to combat global warming.

So how about a trade-off: We’ll give up all that glorious food when John Kerry, Al Gore, and every other climate warrior gives up fossil fuels.

Deal?