National Beef Month 2021 - Health Benefits of Beef

Health Benefits of Beef

Over the last several decades beef has been unjustly demonized as an unhealthy food, but in recent years it has come to light that the inclusion of beef into your diet provides many health benefits that are not met easily by other protein sources. Beef, and especially grass-fed beef, is making a resurgence into diets as a healthy source for many essential nutrients. Let's take a few minutes to explore how beef is a heathy and tasty addition to any diet.

• Beef contains all nine essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and perform vital functions throughout your whole body. Nutrient absorption, tissue repair, improved mood, and even weight loss can all be improved by the consumption of a high quality source of complete proteins such as beef.

• Beef contains high amounts of L-Carnitine. L-Carnitine is an amino acid that is essential in the metabolism of fats. Although L-Carnitine is not considered an essential amino acid, because it can be synthesized in by the human body, there have been many health benefits associated with a boost in L-Carnitine consumption. It has been shown to decrease the mortality of those with heart failure, decrease levels of hypertension and inflammation, improves glucose and cholesterol levels of people with Type-2 diabetes, and aids in weight loss. And while you can purchase synthetic L-Carnitine supplements, consumption of it in a natural form such as in a helping of beef greatly increases the absorption rate of this amino acid.

• Beef contains healthy fats. Beef has been demonized in the past for harboring trans fats, but recent research has shown that the trans fats found in ruminant animals such as beef cattle are shown to be an acceptable part of a healthy diet and even have some health benefits. Conjugated Linoleic Acid, a trans fat found in beef, has been found to aid in weight loss.

• Beef is high in vitamins. Beef is naturally high in many vitamins essential to bodily processes. Beef is an excellent source of B-12, B-6, Zinc, Niacin, Selenium, Phosphorus, and Iron. Many bodily functions such as brain matter, nerve, and blood formation are all dependent on many of these vitamins. As well, metabolism and immune system function are improved with the intake of several of these vitamins.

• Beef contains Creatine. Most people have heard of this common dietary supplement. Athletes use this to improve their performance, recovery, and muscle growth. Not only does beef contain a significant dietary source of creatine but it also contains all of the amino acids necessary for the human liver to synthesize creatine.

• Beef Contains Glutathione. Glutathione, also know as the "Master Antioxidant", has been show to help protect every cell in the human body from cellular damage. Beef contains a reasonably high level of complete dietary glutathione as well as all of the building blocks the human body needs to synthesize this antioxidant.

Sources

Arnarson, Atli. “Beef 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Effects.” Healthline, 4 Apr. 2019, www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/beef#meat-compounds.

Joseph, Michael. “11 Health Benefits of Eating Beef.” Beef Central, 23 Oct. 2020, www.beefcentral.com/news/community-and-lifestyle/beef-nutrition/11-health-benefits-of-eating-beef.

Kubala, Jillian. “Essential Amino Acids: Definition, Benefits and Food Sources.” Healthline, 12 June 2018, www.healthline.com/nutrition/essential-amino-acids.