Globally, the consumption of meat is around 350 million tons per year and the demand is increasing day by day. Meat and poultry provide protein and several micronutrients like iron, omega, B-complex vitamins, and zinc which is good for your balanced diet if intake in the recommended serving size. There are several health benefits of eating meats of various types that have different tastes and provide us with various nutrients.
For example, red meat contains quality protein and other important nutrients that are required to support a healthy diet, and fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are incredibly important for your body and brain.
While different meats provide numerous benefits, however, the meats that are majorly consumed are Chicken, Mutton, Fish, etc.
What are the Benefits of Eating Meat?
Eating meat has many health benefits, here we will discuss which meat contains what and what are their benefits.
Chicken
Chicken has a lot of health benefits. Different parts of the bird have different properties like the thigh and leg pieces containing higher calorie content. The breasts are the healthiest cut of the chicken. Chicken makes a great substitute for red meat. It is a great source of protein and has numerous health benefits:
For Stronger Bones and Muscles:
Chicken not only contains protein and calcium but is also a great source of amino acids, zinc, and copper. Amino acids are used by the body to build important muscle tissue while aging. It’s been proven by studies that higher protein intake helps our body to maintain bone mineral density. It decreases the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis.
Weight Management and Heart Health:
It is suggested that 25 to 30 grams of protein per meal can make us feel more full. Protein-rich foods make us feel more full despite eating less. This helps in weight management. Healthier body weight reduces the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Better Mood:
The amino acid tryptophan is found in chicken which has been related to higher levels of serotonin i.e., the ‘feel good’ hormone. Studies show that chicken could help you boost serotonin levels when paired with some other factors.
Nutrition:
Chicken is rich in high-quality proteins and does not contain much fat. Except for its rich protein content chicken also contains:
Vitamin B12, Choline, Iron, Tryptophan, Copper, Zinc.
Nutrients per Serving:
A raw, boneless, skinless chicken breast contains:
Calories- 120
Protein- 26 grams
Fat- 2 grams
Carbs- 0-gram
Fibre- 0 gram
Sugar- 0 gram
Mutton
Lamb– Meat of sheep below the age of 12 months.
Mutton– Meat of sheep and goat.
Mutton is a type of red meat. It is a rich source of high-quality protein. Health benefits are listed below:
Muscle Maintenance:
It is one of the best sources of high-quality meat. It contains all nine amino acids and is called a complete protein-filled meat. High-quality protein is very necessary for maintaining muscle mass in older adults. In the context of a healthy lifestyle and decent exercise, regular consumption of mutton would help preserve muscle mass.
Improved Physical Performance:
Mutton contains the amino acid called beta-alanine which is used up by your body to produce carnosine, necessary for muscle function. Higher levels of carnosine in human muscles have resulted in decreased fatigue and improved exercise performance. Vegan and vegetarian diets decrease levels of carnosine in your muscles over time.
Anemia prevention:
It is a common condition, portrayed by low levels of red blood cells and decreased oxygen-carrying capacity in blood. Symptoms are weakness and fatigue. Iron deficiency is the main cause of anemia and it is fulfilled by eating meat as it is the best source of iron which is also a highly bioavailable form of iron known as heme-iron. It also improves the absorption of non-heme iron, so it helps to raise the iron level fast in the body. Heme-iron is only found in animal-derived foods, low in vegetarian diets, and absent in vegan diets. Therefore, meat eaters are at a lower risk of anemia.
Nutrition:
Mutton is a great source of rich nutrition that contains many vitamins and minerals, including
Vitamin B12, Selenium, Zinc, Iron, Phosphorus, Niacin, Creatine, Taurine, Glutathione, Cholesterol, Conjugated Linoleic acid (CLA)
Nutrients per Serving:
Mutton mainly contains protein but also has varying amounts of fat.
A 100-gram of roasted mutton provides
Calories- 258
Water- 57%
Protein- 25.6 grams
Carbs- 0 grams
Sugar- 0 grams
Fibre- 0 grams
Fat- 16.5 grams
Fish
Fish is one of the healthiest foods that contains omega-3 fatty acids. It has important nutrients such as protein and Vitamin D. As per the American Heart Association, eating fish two times is good for health. Below are the health benefits of eating fish.
High in Important Nutrients:
Fish has all the nutrients that most people lack because of their diet full of fast food and are too dumb to realize that they are destroying their bodies. It includes high-quality protein, iodine, Vitamin D, etc. Fatty fish species are considered the healthiest. Fatty fishes like salmon, trout, tuna, mackerel, and sardines are higher in fat-based nutrients. It also boosts omega-3 fatty acids that are needed for body and brain function and reduces the risk of many diseases.
Lower risk of heart attacks and strokes:
These are the most common premature deaths in the world. Fish is the most heart-healthy food you can eat. Studies show that there is a lower death rate from heart disease if people eat fish as recommended serving in comparison to others. As fish contains omega-3 fatty acid content it is much more beneficial for heart health.
Contains nutrients that are crucial during development: Omega 3 fatty acids are necessary for growth and development. The omega-3 fat (DHA) is important for brain and eye development. For pregnant women, it is recommended to eat food that has a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that are abundant in fish. But be careful while eating uncooked or half-cooked and raw fish because it may contain microorganisms that can harm you. Eating fish is also helpful in boosting testosterone in men which is highly essential for them.
Nutrients per Serving:
Per 100 gm of fish includes:
Calories- 280
Fat- 12.5 grams
Sodium – 86 milligrams
Carbs – 0-gram
Fibre- 0-gram
Sugars- 0-gram
Protein- 39.2 grams
Conclusion
Meat is a rich source of protein that is essential for the health benefits. It has been a staple food of the human diet for thousands of years. However, it is highly recommended to avoid eating processed or canned meats as they might cause diseases. You should include meats in your diet as many dieticians also recommend to patients to eat meat that helps in fast recovery and forget being in the illusion of being a vegan. Reject the modern ideology and embrace tradition. We hope this article will help you to know what are the health benefits of eating meat and what nutrients can get from eating different types of meat.