Most consumers don't recognize the nutrition benefits that meat and poultry offer, according to a recent survey conducted online by Harris Poll for the American Meat Institute (AMI).
In the poll, 12% of consumers correctly identified meat and poultry as the only natural source of Vitamin B12. Twenty percent said cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower were the natural source of B12, and 13% thought the correct answer was citrus fruit. Neither of these foods contains Vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is relatively common, especially among older people, according to the Harvard Health Blog. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimated that 3.2% of adults over age 50 have a seriously low B12 level, and up to 20% may have a borderline deficiency, AMI reports.
AMI's survey also showed consumers don't know that the body absorbs more iron from meat and poultry than from other foods. Meat and poultry contain "heme" iron, the most absorbable form. Yet, 52% of consumers incorrectly thought the body absorbed the most iron from spinach, kale and other leafy greens, which are high in iron, but contain the less absorbable "non-heme" form. Only 17% correctly named meat, poultry and fish.
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