Learn the Health Benefits of Bison Meat

Bison Meat

You can find bison (buffaloes) in the grasslands of North America. A bison, which can weigh about 1,500 to 2,500 pounds, is 6 feet tall. Bison are the grazing animals known for their healthy meat. Bison meat is not contaminated with chemicals, drugs, or hormones. No wonder bison are likely to have a lower fat content than beef, chicken, and pork. Keep in mind bison meat is different with beef since people sometimes mistake it for beef. As herbivores, bison roam free in wildlife ranches and feed on grass or hay, making their meat healthful to consume. While consuming red meat is associated with cancer and cardiovascular risk, consuming bison meat might be an alternative. In addition, you should consider the health benefits of bison meat, which will be explained below.

Health Benefits of Bison Meat

Less Fat than Other Meat Sources

According to the USDA Handbook, bison meat will provide 2.42 grams of fat and 143 calories per 100 grams of cooked lean meat. You will find bison meat much healthier if you compare it with beef that contains 9.28 grams of fat and 211 calories, or skinless chicken that has 7.41 grams of fat and 190 calories. When it comes to pork that has 9.66 grams of fat and 212 calories, bison meat is surely a healthier alternative.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

Bison meat contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA is considered a healthy fat and it can help prevent cancer in humans. It can also decrease blood cholesterol levels and triglycerides, decrease insulin resistance, enhance the immune system, boost metabolic rate, and stimulate muscle growth. With that said, bison meat helps achieve a good body for anyone who wants to lose weight.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid

Omega-3 fatty acid is also a healthy fat because it is essential to humans which the body cannot produce. You can have omega-3 fatty acid by consuming bison meat in addition to eating fish such as tuna, salmon, herring, and halibut. Omega-3 fatty acid participates in keeping the brain functioning well and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Omega-3 fatty acid is important for cognitive performance because it is focused on the brain. By consuming omega-3 fatty acid in bison meat, you might prevent Alzheimer’s disease as well.

Rich Source of Iron

Health benefits of bison meat include a high source of iron. The rich iron content in bison meat helps convey oxygen to cells in the human body and send carbon dioxide back from body cells. Bison meat contains 3.42 mg of iron per 100-gram serving. Iron is important in preventing anemia. If you are deficient in iron, then your body will create less hemoglobin, distributing less oxygen to your body tissues.

Rich Source of Protein

Protein enables your body to repair and regenerate tissues, preserves cell membranes, and helps formulate special enzymes. Bison meat has 28.44 grams of protein per 100-gram serving.

Vitamin B6, B12, and Niacin

Bison meat is high in vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 plays important roles in metabolizing folate and keeping myelin sheaths well maintained. Myelin sheaths are insulating layers that form around nerve fibers in the human body. Bison meat contains 2.86 mcg of vitamin B12 per 100-gram serving.

The human body needs vitamin B6 to metabolize protein and produce neurotransmitters, while niacin (vitamin B3) in bison meat functions as fat breakdown and fat synthesis.

References

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Fact Sheets - https://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/bison_from_farm_to_table/index.asp

Thunder Ridge Bison: Nutritional Information of Bison - https://www.thunderridgebison.com/nutrition.htm

Missouri Bison Association: America’s Original Health Food - https://www.mobisonassoc.org/bisonhealthy.htm

Wild T Bison Farm: Nutrition Facts - https://wildtbison.com/nutrition-facts/

Bison: An Important Food Source, Anti-carcinogen? - https://www.bisoncentral.com/doc_lib/DrAskew.pdf

Bison: A Healthy Red Meat? - https://www.bisoncentral.com/doc_lib/Askew7.06.pdf

Bison Information: About Bison Meat - https://www.lonestarbison.com/BisonInfo.aspx

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