The benefits and harm of lamb for human health
It is known that meat is a source of protein, without which no living organism can successfully develop. Lamb is not an exception, because it is considered one of the most useful types of meat.
Meat composition
Per 15 g of cooked lamb accounts for about 15.6 g of protein, and, for example, in the same portion of eggs of this organic matter is less - 13 g.
The amount of fat depends on the sex, age and nutritional characteristics of the animal, and most often it varies from 18 to 22%. If you compare with pork or beef, then the saturated fat in lamb more.
But this should not be afraid - many scientists argue that these fats have absolutely no effect on the possibility of the progression of atherosclerosis and many serious diseases.
Lamb is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is known as one of the components of biological supplements for losing weight.
Therapeutic and preventive properties
Most sheep are fed natural food. It follows that their meat is rich in a huge amount of substances that are beneficial to the human body. Among them you can find vitamin A, B12, 2 mg of iron, 1.8% of the daily value of manganese, chlorine, and zinc.
An important function of meat is that it helps to maintain the required level of muscle mass - this is important for people who want to lose weight, as well as for pensioners and those who have suffered a serious illness. In addition, the healing properties of lamb perfectly affect physical endurance and contribute to getting rid of constant fatigue. A huge amount of zinc and antioxidants help the immune system.
Of course, a moderate addition to the menu of lamb meat on the positive side affects the work of the pancreas, comes to help in eliminating abdominal pain. Fluorine, which abounds in this product, is an active ingredient in the treatment of caries.
Also, the value of lamb is that a person who pampers himself with this meat, at least once a week, is not at risk of increasing cholesterol in the blood. Moreover, the normal blood circulation, on which the protein also has an important effect, ensures good functioning not only of the heart, but, of course, of other organs.
Benefit
Composed as follows
- For men. Zinc, which is part of the meat of lamb, has a great effect on the production of testosterone in the body of a man. This hormone has a positive effect on the nervous system, helps to cope with stressful situations. Moreover, the pulp has a good effect on the potency, therefore it is extremely important for the family to cook such meat.
- For women. Folic acid, infrequently found in many other products, is necessary for pregnant women so that the baby in the mother’s womb develops in opposition to the term. And while breastfeeding, lamb is needed as a lactation enhancer.
- For children's health. It is known that in children the work of the digestive tract is not perfected, so a wide range of products can be accompanied by a number of troubles due to digestive disorders. Such meat will help to normalize the child's digestive tract. However, the optimal age when you can add lamb meat to the diet of children is 6 years.
- For those who wish to lose weight. The proportion of fat in meat is not as significant as the amount of protein. This fact puts the lamb on a par with dietary products that are necessary for those who get rid of the hated centimeters at the waist and hips, because such meat is a metabolic enhancer.
The meat of a young lamb is awarded a relatively low calorie - an average of about 200 Kcal per serving weighing 100 g.
If a person adheres to a healthy lifestyle, then the mutton should be one of the first in the menu list.
Obviously, it is quickly absorbed and does not provoke a feeling of heaviness.
The top of the lamb - the best option for dietary dishes. And in order to achieve maximum benefits for the body, it is necessary to choose such methods of heat treatment as boiling or stewing.
Boiled meat does not conceal within itself a huge calorie content, but its taste does not get worse. Cooking helps not only to preserve, but also not to lose in food a wide range of elements necessary for health. From this type of meat is prepared dietary mutton broth, which does not interfere with those who are on the way to the ideal body.
In addition to all of the above, lamb has several advantages:
- controls the production of gastric juice;
- reduces the risk of diabetes;
- cares about the chemical composition of the blood;
- compensates for the lack of iron better than beef;
- increases hemoglobin level in the blood;
- restores blood pressure;
- cares about mental activity.
Which is better: beef or lamb?
Despite all the beneficial properties of beef, experts believe lamb meat is most useful for successful physical development and appearance of a person. First of all, as mentioned earlier, it is among the diet products, which, of course, speaks only of its benefits.
Also in the lamb more omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid and vitamin B12 - this is exactly what contributes to the good and productive work of all human organs.
It is impossible not to pay attention to another important factor. It is known that fat deposits in beef can often be found inside the pieces of meat themselves. From these savings can not get rid of a knife. In mutton, on the other hand, fat is located far from muscle fibers. If you compare the two types of meat, the lamb, grown by the factory, will be as rich in minerals as the cow grazed in the village meadows.
Harm
There is a popular belief that the frequent consumption of red meat, which may include lamb, is detrimental and contributes to the development of various diseases associated with the joints, and is not useful for physical health.
Of course, the frequent use of a particular product does not always give positive results. Lamb is not included in the list of exceptions, because the measure is important in everything.
Meat is rather difficult to digest by the intestines, and many enzymes can linger in the human body as slags. Because of this, diseases such as sclerosis, obesity and bone tissue inflammation can develop.
As mentioned earlier, lamb is rich in protein. But it is important to remember about the measure. The human body also requires carbohydrates, and oversaturation with proteins and fats does not lead to something good.
It can be concluded that The moderate consumption of mutton cooked at a low temperature and without a large amount of butter will definitely not lead to any negative consequences for the appearance and health.
You will learn more about the benefits and dangers of lamb by watching the following video.
Contraindications
People suffering from diseases such as gastritis, ulcers, pathology of the liver, gall bladder or kidneys, lamb meat is extremely contraindicated for consumption. It is also desirable to exclude lamb from the diet of those who have elevated cholesterol, as well as in the event that gout, arthritis or hypertension was detected.
Since the body spends a lot of time and energy on the digestion of this meat, it is not necessary to give it to children of preschool age, and people of old should prefer the young lamb.
Tips for choosing
If you do not want to deal with an unpleasant smell and a rather rigid meat structure, you can make a choice in favor of young sheep under the age of one year. The fat of the lambs has a white or pinkish color, and the more mature individual is the red color of the meat.
The surface of the pulp is better to choose a shiny and grainy, without any blood leaks. Fresh lamb is different elasticity: if you press a finger on the meat, then there will be no trace.You should also pay special attention to the size and color of the bones: pinkish bones indicate a young lamb, and white - indicate an adult individual.
Of course, it is important to buy lamb exclusively in well-known and proven places. You must make sure that there is a sanitary stamp that proves the fact that the product has been tested.
Cooking secrets
If you want to pamper households with dinner of stewed or boiled lamb, you can choose the neck or shank, and for frying and baking, you should prefer the upper part of the shoulder blade, brisket or chicken. If you choose bacon, then you can not worry about the quality of the dish - it is suitable for any kind of heat treatment and is a widely used part of the sheep carcass.
Lamb is definitely a useful product. This meat helps a person, saturating his body with various vitamins, and is a great help in the fight against obesity. However, it is important to remember the extent to which such a tasty product is consumed.