Health Benefits of Grass Fed Beef

Grass Fed Beef

Grass fed beef is often raised using regenerative agriculture. This method of raising cattle is not just healthier for the animal, but also for the planet. Cattle do not receive antibiotics or hormones to speed up growth. Those drugs enter the food chain via grain fed beef, contributing to antibiotic resistance and potential disease development. Women exposed to high levels of estrogen are at greater risk for breast cancer. Synthetic estrogens have long been used in conventional cattle raising.

Regenerative agriculture does not use pesticides. Cattle consuming forage treated with pesticides may introduce these toxins into the food chain via their meat.

Nutrient Density

Grass fed beef is more nutrient dense than its grain fed counterpart. It contains twice the amount of lutein and beta-carotene, two powerful antioxidants. The former is linked to eye health and protection from macular degeneration, while the latter is converted to vitamin A by the body.

For instance, one grass fed steak contains 49 grams of protein, along with various B vitamins and 45 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. That’s five times the amount of omega-3 fatty acids found in grain fed beef. It’s also rich in zinc, magnesium, and selenium.

Fewer Calories

Obesity is a national health epidemic. Being overweight contributes to a host of diseases or conditions, including:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Gallbladder disease
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Infertility
• Liver issues
• Sleep apnea
• Stroke

Consuming a lower calorie, healthy diet and exercising regularly can help in maintaining a normal weight. That healthy diet should contain lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, but it should also include lean meats. Grass fed beef contains fewer calories than grain fed beef. Its fat content is comparable to skinless chicken. It is just one more dietary tool for eating well without adding excess calories.

Heart Health Benefits

Grass fed beef may offer heart health benefits not found in grain fed beef. Such benefits include:

• Higher levels of antioxidants, such as vitamins A and E
• More omega-3 fatty acids, which promote heart health
• More linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid
• Less total fat content

Always opt for lean beef, that with 10 percent or less fat. That is easier to obtain with grass fed beef. Grass fed beef has less saturated fat (which has been linked to higher cholesterol). However, grass fed beef also has lower amounts of LDL, the so-called “bad cholesterol.”

Better Blood Sugar Levels

Normal adult blood glucose levels are less than 140 mg dL within two hours after eating. Higher blood glucose levels indicate prediabetes or diabetes. Grass fed beef contains conjugated linoleic acid, which can reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes.

There is some evidence that conjugated linoleic acid can lower the odds of developing certain cancers. Most foods with anti-carcinogenic properties are derived from plants. Conjugated linoleic acid is the exception found in meat.

Fewer Bacteria

Grass fed beef contains far fewer bacteria than the grain fed variety. An analysis by Consumer Reports found that grass fed beef is less likely to contain dangerous bacteria.

Beef Liver

Compared to other parts of the animal, beef liver does not get the respect it deserves. This organ meat is packed with protein. Protein benefits many bodily functions, including metabolism and blood pressure. It is an excellent source of vitamins A and B12.