The trials compared red meat to other animal proteins (e.g., chicken and fish), plant-based foods (e.g., legumes), mixtures of plant and animal foods, or high-carbohydrate foods.

Compared to red meat, plant-based foods lowered (improved) total cholesterol (−0.14 mmol/L, or −5.4 mg/dL) and LDL (−0.19 mmol/L, or −7.4 mg/dL), but mixtures of animal protein and plant-based foods increased (worsened) triglycerides (+0.21 mmol/L, or +19 mg/dL).

HDL, blood pressure, and C-reactive protein showed no clear differences between diets.

Are plants better than red meat for heart disease risk? Original paper