There has always been a great debate about the nutritional value of eating meat. Some people believe meat is healthy and it is a major part of their diet. In contrast, other individuals believe meat is unhealthy immoral and pointless. To assess whether meat is healthy or unhealthy you must understand what it is.
What Is Meat?
Meat is the flesh of the animals used for food. The muscles, fat, tendons, and ligaments are all considered to be meats. On the other hand, some of the flesh of plant foods like coconut may also be called meat.
Types of Meat
There are three main classes of meat: red meat, poultry, and seafood. Red meat includes all livestock such as beef, pork, lamb, veal, goat, bison, elk, and venison. Poultry is frequently known as white meat and includes chicken and turkey. Although many people may not consider seafood to be meat especially with the popularity of pescetarianism, fish can technically be considered meat and it includes fish, crab, lobster, clams, oysters, scallops, and mussels.
Is Meat Healthy For You?
As with most foods, moderation is the key, eating too much of one thing may cause health problems down the line. Even though some people believe meat is unnecessary, meat contains several nutrients needed by the body.
Meat is a rich source of protein, in fact, it is a complete protein, it contains all 9 of the essential amino acids the body needs. Furthermore, heme iron can be found in poultry, fish, and red meat which guards the body against anemia, even though non-heme iron is derived from plant sources, the body absorbs it better when it is obtained from animal products.
Animal products such as dairy, fish, eggs, and meat are one of the few food resources which is a natural source of zinc, which not only supports the immune system, but it is involved in several bodily processes such as gene expression and enzymatic reactions. Choline is also found in beef and is responsible for improving brain functioning, cellular growth, and metabolism.
Health Risks Associated with Meat
Even though meat possesses several health benefits, there are some health concerns, especially regarding red meat. Red meats are particularly high in saturated fat. Consuming large quantities of saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood as well as raising your chances of developing heart disease and even death. What's more, research has linked to a heightened risk of colon and rectum cancer, and in some cases, prostate and pancreatic cancer. In contrast, controversial research released recently by the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests it is okay to eat red meat.
While the great debate about the benefits of eating meat continues to wage on and new alternatives like beyond meat entering the market, the best approach to eating and purchasing meat Langley is in moderation and ensuring your diet is balanced.