Top Nutritional Benefits Of Beef: Should You Eat It Or Not?

The ‘meat of cattle,’ beef, belongs to the family of red meat. In comparison to fish and chicken, it is rich in iron. You can consume beef as ribs, roasts, or steaks, and it tastes incredible, when cooked well. Besides that, ground beef patties are fairly common in hamburgers, apart from minced or ground varieties.

For the health-conscious, lean beef is available that’s replete in essential vitamins and minerals, like zinc and iron. Contrary to common notions hence, beef is a recommended food product, at least from healthy diets. A superb source of protein and fats, here’s taking a look at the nutritional benefits of beef.

Preventing Anemia

Iron deficiency leads to anemia. For those battling with this condition, tiredness, exhaustion, and weakness are some common symptoms. After all, there’s a decrease in the number of red blood cells, and the blood loses its capacity to carry oxygen. Beef consumption is the rightful measure since it contains iron in the form of heme iron.

The body’s absorption rate of heme iron exceeds that of non-heme iron, most often present in plant-derived foods. This meat has a bio-available type of iron that helps improve the absorption of iron in non-heme forms, like in plant foods- the mechanism known as ‘meat factor.’ Few studies suggest that beef can spike up the non-heme iron levels in meals. It contains a high dose of phytic acid, which inhibits iron absorption.

Improving Stamina

There are dietary amino acids present in great amounts in fishes and meats, including beef. An amino acid’ beta-alanine forms carnosine inside the body. As per research, a 40-80% increase in the carnosine levels in muscles after diets was supplemented with good amounts of beta-alanine and consumed for 4-10 weeks. Not that veggies can’t work properly in this regard, but the process is comparatively slower.

So it would surely form carnosine in muscles, but not at the same rate as when you consume beef or even its leaner variants. When carnosine levels are maintained well, there’s a noticeable reduction in fatigue, and better performance is guaranteed while exercising. Besides that, studies also suggest how supplements having beta-alanine. This can cause a marked difference in the running time and strength of the person consuming the same.

Preventing Heart Diseases

Believe it or not, premature death is caused maximally because of heart diseases. The number of high blood pressure cases, heart attacks, and strokes has witnessed a typical high in the last couple of decades or so. Going by observational studies, consumption of red meats and heart diseases have shown mixed results. A few more studies showcased how both processed and unprocessed red meat can produce increased dangers for the heath.

However, you need to take these observations with a pinch of salt. Remember that not all observational studies prove cause and effect. Meat eaters get affected by some diseases, regardless of whether some other underlying factor/s is responsible or not. Excess meat consumption will surely cause health issues, like overweight problems, unhealthy lifestyle, etc. But balancing the same with a generous helping of fruits and vegetables and exercising every day will only accentuate beef benefits.

Maintenance Of Muscle Mass

Beef contains high-quality and complete protein, which has all the vital amino acids. As a result of inadequate protein intake, there are considerable risks of a condition termed ‘sarcopenia.’

This is a dangerous health ailment that often affects older adults. And that is mostly because of their insufficient consumption of complete proteins. However, the supply of the essential proteins, combined with strength exercises, works wonders in preserving muscle mass. And it would help you prevent such diseases.

There’s more than meets the eye! Beef is one of the best foods that you can eat to bring in advantages aplenty. The only aspect that causes problems is how people tend to go overboard with it, without realizing the limits they must exercise during consumption. If that’s maintained, there’s no reason why beef should be out of one’s diet. However, do not forget to talk to your dietician before you switch to a beef diet. They will help you to understand how you could introduce beef to your diet and how much of it is ideal for your body.