Doctor Rajan Karan Urges Bean-for-Meat Swap After 52-Men Study Cut Weight, Cholesterol
Updated
Updated · The Mirror · Jul 21
Doctor Rajan Karan Urges Bean-for-Meat Swap After 52-Men Study Cut Weight, Cholesterol
1 articles · Updated · The Mirror · Jul 21
Summary
A 2025 nutrition study of 52 men found that replacing 200 grams of weekly red processed meat with peas and faba beans cut average weight by 1 kilogram in six weeks.
Doctor Rajan Karan said the swap works by raising fibre intake while reducing saturated fat, helping lower total and LDL cholesterol without asking participants to cut calories.
University of Helsinki researchers kept the men on mixed diets—including chicken, eggs and fish—and reported improved iron levels despite lower red meat intake.
Karan framed beans as an easy, low-cost change, suggesting people halve beef mince in dishes like spaghetti bolognese and top it up with beans.
Study author Anne-Maria Pajari said the short trial did not harm nutrient intake, but longer-term research is still needed for children, older adults and broader plant-based diet shifts.