Meats have long been a somewhat… “controversial” food. And by this we do not mean only the vegan movements promoting said lifestyle. This is something that goes beyond awareness regarding slaughterhouses and animal consumption. It is a topic focused on health, since there are always very different opinions about whether meat is good or not for our health. Particularly red meat, which is from mammals such as beef, pork, horse, goat, among others… Among so much controversy and varied ideas, it is somewhat difficult to answer what are the benefits of red meat for our health?? But as you know, here at how we like to ask ourselves questions, but above all answer them. And knowing what the benefits of red meat are is undoubtedly a question that we will answer at all costs. For this we have prepared this entry, where we will not only give an answer to the question. But to provide a little more information regarding the subject and the contributions to health that red meats offer us.

What benefits do red meats bring us when we consume them?

Like all food, meats offer a series of nutrients and contribution to our body. Depending on what, how and the quantity in which it is consumed. This may or may not harm us. However, red meat stands out for being rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. So that you can give yourself a better idea of ​​how much it contributes to the body. We will list everything that gives us 100gr of red meat (Approximately): 24% of the RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) of Selenium. 37% of the RDI for vitamins B12 and cobalamin. It is worth mentioning that these vitamins are extremely scarce in plant foods. 32% of the IDR of Zinc. 25% of the RDI of vitamin Niacin or B3. 18% of the RDI for vitamins B6. 12% of the IDR of iron in high quality. Which means that it is easily absorbed by our body. Other minerals and vitamins in smaller amounts. As you can see, meats do provide a nutritional contribution to our body. However, it is recommended to consume it in moderation. Well, excessive consumption of red meat can stimulate the activation of cancer cells in the body. Not to mention the fame they have for causing cardiovascular problems, by saturating the veins with fat. If you are interested in the content, remember to visit our article on “What are lean meats”.

Why does meat have such a bad reputation? 

As you may have noticed, red meat is packed with vitamins and nutrients. But as the meme says… If she is so good, why do they speak so badly about her? The reason lies mainly in how red meat affects the body. When it goes through the process of cooking or processing it. Which release certain chemicals that, if not careful. They can develop cardiovascular problems or worse, cancer. To explain it better, and have a clearer idea of ​​“What is bad”. You should know that during the cooking of the meat. This releases heterocyclic amines (AH). N-nitroso, advanced glycation end products (AGE) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The set of all these substances can cause cancer if their consumption is excessive, and it is something that has been scientifically proven.

How should meat be prepared so that its consumption is not harmful to the body?

To be able to make sure that we are cooking our meat well and that with it its consumption is less risky. Meat can be cooked in a much “Healthier” way. To do this, you just have to take into account the following tips: Steaming meat is preferable to frying or grilling. Whenever you can use this alternative, do it. Do not cook red meats at very high temperatures. And if it is possible to prevent it from coming into direct contact with a flame, the better. Avoid consuming burned meat (or in general any burned food). An efficient way to reduce the amount of HA (Heterocyclic Amines). It is by cooking the meat with red wine, olive oil, lemon or a little garlic. That will reduce the number of amines when consuming the meat. If you follow those tips when cooking meat. We can guarantee that you will get a much healthier result. However, keep in mind that this does not mean that you can abuse this food. The key to this lies in not being very constant in the consumption of red meat. And limit yourself to consuming it twice a week, or at most three.