It helps to generate energy for the growth, repair, and maintenance of our cells ( 15). Coenzyme Q10: This compound acts in a vitamin-like manner in the body.Choline: An essential nutrient that plays a key role in our central nervous system, memory and other cognitive functions ( 14).Carnosine: An amino acid that may have anti-glycation, anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating properties ( 12, 13).In addition to the nutrient profiles, meat also contains a variety of bioactive compounds that infer health benefits. However, there are some differences regarding micronutrients red meat tends to offer a greater quantity of vitamins and minerals. Key Point: Red and white meats are similar in terms of their macronutrient profile. While red meat may offer more in terms of essential nutrients, is the nutritional profile of poultry really so inferior? Some people feel that white meat is an inferior source of nutrition than red meat. Poultry also contains a range of essential micronutrients. What Are Turkey’s Benefits and Drawbacks?Ĭhicken Meat 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits How is White Meat Good For You?įor one thing, it does not have the health concerns that red meat does, and so we often hear it suggested as a replacement.Īdditionally, leaner cuts of white meat are among the highest dietary sources of protein. Some examples of white meat include chicken, duck, turkey, and other types of poultry.įor further information about poultry, see these guides below Poultry does contain this protein, but in a much lesser quantity than red meat does. It is also a myth that white meat doesn’t contain myoglobin. Sometimes this definition may also include fish, but people don’t generally consider fish as a “meat”, so for the purpose of this article we will focus on land animals. White meat refers to poultry and light-colored meats. It contains many essential nutrients, but there are some concerns over negative health impacts. Key Point: Red meat has a higher myoglobin content and it is naturally red in its raw state. Part of these concerns specifically relate to the high-heat cooking of red meat, and others are about the curing process. In particular, these concerns relate to findings from nutritional epidemiology that suggest higher red meat intake increases mortality ( 4).įurthermore, red meat has been listed by the World Health Organization as a “ likely carcinogen” ( 5). There are also some worries that red meat may have negative impacts on our long-term health. Notably, rates of iron deficiency anemia have been rising over recent years, particularly in younger women, effectively doubling between 20 in the United States ( 2).Īs the most significant dietary source of iron, could falling rates of red meat consumption be playing a role? Concerns About Red Meat Consumption This is only a selection of the beneficial compounds we can find in red meat, and there are many more. It’s widely accepted that red meat contains many important nutrients specifically, protein, vitamin B12, and the minerals iron and zinc. The ‘healthiest’ way of eating red meat is in its unprocessed form, ideally served as part of a nutrient-rich meal. Some examples of red meat include beef, bison, lamb, pork, and venison meat.īeef steak is probably the most famous red meat of all, and when it is cooked well, it is also one of the most popular foods in terms of taste. Put simply the more myoglobin a meat contains, the darker red it will be. In fact, the red liquid you often see in a pack of meat isn’t blood it is a combination of myoglobin and water. Myoglobin is a type of protein found in meat which has a deep red color ( 1). However, we can also define red meat by its high myoglobin content. The simplest definition dictates that meats which are red in their raw state are ‘red meat’. This article examines the key differences between red and white meat. In this regard, we can often see media articles urging us to replace meats like beef and lamb with poultry or plant-based options.īut is cutting out red meat a good idea? And is white meat a better choice? Among the different types of meat, red meat tends to be the most controversial.
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