Pork, can also be said to be the domesticated pig meat. It is the most commonly consumed red meat worldwide especially in eastern Asia. How...
Pork, can also be said to be the domesticated pig meat. It is the most commonly consumed red meat worldwide especially in eastern Asia. However, its consumption is forbidden in certain religions, such as Islam and Judaism.
For this reason, pork is illegal in many Islamic countries. It is often eaten unprocessed, but cured (preserved) pork products are also very common. These include smoked pork, ham, bacon and sausages.
Being high in protein and rich in many vitamins and minerals, lean pork can be an excellent addition to a healthy diet. Like all meat, pork is mostly made up of protein and has so many health benefits than other meats.
The protein content of lean, cooked pork is around 26% by fresh weight. By dry weight, the protein content of lean pork can be as high as 89%, making it one of the richest dietary sources of protein.
It contains all the essential amino acids necessary for the growth and maintenance of our bodies. In fact, meat is one of the most complete dietary sources of protein.
For this reason, eating pork, or other meats, may be of particular benefit for bodybuilders, recovering athletes, post-surgical patients, or other people who need to build up or repair their muscles.
Pork is a rich source of many different vitamins and minerals. According to Authority Nutrition, it was gathered that these are the main vitamins and minerals found in pork:
Thiamin: Unlike other types of red meat, such as beef and lamb, pork is particularly rich in thiamin. Thiamin is one of the B-vitamins and plays an essential role in various body functions.
Selenium: Pork is usually a rich source of selenium. The best sources of this essential mineral are
animal-derived foods, such as meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy products.
animal-derived foods, such as meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy products.
Zinc: An important mineral, abundant in pork. It is essential for a healthy brain and immune system.
Vitamin B12: Only found in foods of animal origin, vitamin B12 is important for blood formation and brain function. Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause anemia and damage to neurons.
Vitamin B6: A group of several related vitamins, important for the formation of red blood cells.
Niacin: One of the B-vitamins, also called vitamin B3. It serves a variety of functions in the body and is important for growth and metabolism.
Phosphorus: Abundant and common in most foods, phosphorus is usually a large component of people’s diets. It is essential for body growth and maintenance.
Iron: Pork contains less iron than lamb or beef. However, the absorption of meat iron (heme-iron) from the digestive tract is very efficient and pork can be considered an outstanding source of iron.
Pork may contain useful amounts of many other vitamins and minerals.
Pork may contain useful amounts of many other vitamins and minerals.
Processed pork products, such as ham and bacon, may contain very high amounts of salt (sodium).
Improved Exercise Performance, Maintenance of Muscle Mass are some benefits of pork meat. Also, it prevents various hearts diseases like the the cardiac arrest and the likes which is the main cause of premature death worldwide, is not cancerous like other types of meat.
Some other benefits of eating pork meat includes a rich source of high-quality protein, as well as various vitamins and minerals. For this reason, it may promote muscle growth and maintenance, and improve exercise performance.
On the negative side, consumption of both undercooked and overcooked pork should be avoided. Overcooked pork may contain carcinogenic substances, and undercooked (or raw) pork may harbor parasites.
That being said, moderate consumption of properly prepared pork can very well fit into a healthy diet.
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