Did you know that studies have shown that people who do not consume meat are more prone to suffer neurotransmitter problems such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders?
If you’re a meat lover, congratulations, here’s the article to share with your vegan friends who think that going vegan is the only way to be like the cool kids next block.
Image Source: robbwolf.com
Get your reading glasses and brain on; it’s going to get quite wordy.
1. Packed with protein and vitamins
Poultry and red meat contain proteins, vitamin A, B, and D. All of these nutrients are required for our body to function normally. To give you a little more context, let’s go into some of the details.
Protein
During digestion, protein is broken down into amino acids and they are classified into 3 groups: Essential, Nonessential and Conditional.
Essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body and must be supplied through food. On the flipside, nonessential amino acids are made by the body from essential amino acids or in the breakdown of proteins. Finally, conditional amino acids are needed in times of stress and sickness.
The body uses amino acids for various functions like repairing body cells. It also plays a part in the growth and development of children, teenagers, and pregnant women.
Vitamin A
There are two types of vitamin A: Preformed and Provitamin A.
Preformed vitamin A is found in meat, fish, poultry, and dairy foods while Provitamin A is found in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables.
It helps form and maintains healthy teeth, skeletal/soft tissue and skin. It also promotes good vision, especially in low light.
Vitamin B
There is a reason why it’s named as the vitamin B complex because it has eight B vitamins — B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12. Vitamin B12, also known as Cobalamin, is the one that exists in beef, pork, fish, shellfish, dairy and eggs.
Cobalamin works with vitamin B9 (folate) to produce red blood cells and aids iron in the process of creating haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying substance.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, also known as ‘sunshine vitamin’, is produced by the body as a result of sun exposure. It can also be found in food such as fish oil and fatty fish.
There are various roles that Vitamin D plays and some of it includes maintaining healthy bones and teeth and protecting one against a range of conditions such as cancer, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
Check out why Vitamin D is important to your wellbeing in detail here!
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2. A source of minerals
Meat also consists of minerals such as selenium, iron, zinc and magnesium.
Selenium, iron and zinc are trace minerals, which means that you don’t need huge amounts for your body to function normally. On the other hand, magnesium is a major mineral where you will need large quantities to carry out its functions.
Let’s delve deeper into the individual minerals.
Selenium
Selenium works as a powerful antioxidant and is required for your body to create glutathione (more information coming right up in the 3rd point!).
A lack of selenium may result in thyroid dysfunction, a weak immune system, infertility, depression, heart diseases and increased risk of cancer.
For this reason, it is essential to consume foods high in selenium as it supports detoxification and thus takes stress off organs like the liver and thyroid.
Here’s the top 10 list of food high in mighty selenium:
Image Source: Dr. Axe
Iron
Iron allows your body to build haemoglobin, which delivers oxygen to cells and remove carbon dioxide from the body.
Without iron, there will not be enough healthy red blood cells. This means that your body tissues will suffer from a lack of oxygen.
Here’s something you might not like because not everyone knows how to appreciate the taste of it: Organ meats, especially in the liver, kidneys, brain and heart, are good sources of iron.
Zinc
Zinc plays multiple roles. Firstly, it is involved in the function of more than 100 different enzymes, and these are substances that allow chemical reactions to take place.
Secondly, it helps to maintain your immune system through the production of white blood cells, which fight off potentially harmful substances and foreign invaders.
Thirdly, zinc is also believed to be able to speed up healing of wounds because it plays a role in the inflammatory response associated with cuts and injuries.
Magnesium
Magnesium is required in more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
Some of its benefits include the transmission of nerve impulses, body temperature regulation, detoxification, energy production, and the formation of healthy bones and teeth.
The intake of magnesium also benefits women of all ages. It prevents osteoporosis and helps in the relief from symptoms of menopause and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It also minimises the risk of premature labour.
3. Contains glutathione, a ‘master antioxidant’
Pronounced as “gloota-thigh-own”, here’s what it does: It has anti-aging benefits (yay to defying gravity!), increasing longevity, preventing illnesses, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and strengthening the immune system.
It also a natural detoxifier, helping to reduce your risk of developing cancer. It can fight cancer because it keeps healthy cells alive and kills malignant cells.
You can rejoice if you’re a beef fanatic because it contains a substantial amount of complete (pre-formed) dietary glutathione. Why get glutathione injections if you can get them from natural food source?
Image Source: Dr. Axe
Congratulations on surviving a journey through the benefits of eating meat with Guidesify.
As much as we enjoyed bringing the above advantages of eating meat, a balanced diet is highly recommended. Your food choices affect your today, tomorrow and future so make the right decision and say no to binge eating or extreme diets! Having a lot of ‘one good thing’ ain’t beneficial in the long run.
Have at least 3 meals a day and don’t skip breakfast no matter how late you are for work. Pack a sandwich or salad the night before? Also, try including some daily physical activity or exercise and limit that alcohol intake in the coming year.
Let’s start 2018 right, shall we? Cheers to good health!
Related: Snacks Made by the Country Next Door: Malaysia
