Red meat

Goat

Written by the VitaWhat editorial team · Medically reviewed by Steve Davis · Last reviewed 19 July 2026 · Editorial policy

A lean red meat eaten widely across the world.

Effect on the body: delivers iron and protein with notably less saturated fat than beef or lamb, so it is a leaner red-meat option for heart health.

Benefits

  • Iron
  • Protein
  • B12
  • Lower fat than beef/lamb

Pros

  • Leaner and lower in saturated fat than most red meat
  • Widely available globally
  • Sustainable to farm

Cons

  • Can be tough without slow cooking
  • Still red meat — moderate intake

Sources & references

  1. WHO — Q&A on red/processed meat
  2. British Nutrition Foundation

Related entries

Beef (lean)Buffalo (water buffalo)CamelHorseLambLiver
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