What Nutrients are in Meat? Health Benefits of Eating Meat

To eat or not to eat meat–perhaps this is your question. We all recall the former guidelines for health that later were revoked and proven to be fictitious. For example, coffee was once considered an unhealthy beverage option, but is now touted for its numerous health benefits (in moderation, of course). Scrambled eggs, once scorned, are now a smart breakfast choice. And don’t forget the devil of desserts—chocolate (which is now praised for its polyphenol properties). And while red wine may ruin your rug, it boasts many benefits including heart health and antioxidant properties that may prevent blood clots and plaque formation. So what is a health conscious consumer to do? With all the information and opinions circulating in cyberspace and hosting the headlines; we are left confused.

Before you decide what dinner will be, consider the vitamins and nutrients available in meat:

Iron

Red meat, in particular, is very high in iron. Iron helps carry oxygen to the organs, tissues, and blood. Individuals who do not receive enough iron through their diet may suffer from anemia. Anemia may cause weakness, lowered immunity, fatigue, and general feelings of illness. Though it is possible to get iron from supplements, the best sources will come from the diet.

Amino Acids

Meat contains essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. They build cells, repair tissues, and form antibodies that can combat viruses. Amino acids are a vital part of the health of organs, muscles, ligaments. The health of your hair and the strength of your nails may also have a great deal to do with the presence of amino acids.

Vitamins A, B, & D

The vitamins and other nutrients that subsist in you steak, pork, or chicken include:

• Vitamin A ( good for the eyes, bones, teeth, and strength)
• Vitamin B (which helps to support the central nervous system and may enhance emotional health).
• Vitamin D (which is also essential to emotional health, and benefits the bones).

While all of the above nutrients are abundant in meat, there are certain things to beware of. Before you fry up a burger, or toss a T-bone on the grill, remember that meat can also be high in saturated fat. Eating moderate amounts will do your body (including your buttock) the most good. The best options are poultry, fish, and lean cuts of meat. Look for the words “loin,” and “round.”

Learn more by reading Vitamins and Minerals Found in Meat - Health Benefits of Eating Meat.