Every study showing beef consumption leading to impaired health outcomes is correlative and observational. In fact, I’ve written and explained anti-meat consumption studies and how exactly they rationalize their data. If you don’t know about correlation vs. causation, I’d highly recommend checking out this post too:
The Stupidity of an Anti-Meat Study Summed Up
There is no sound body of evidence that has ever been produced showing a causation of negative health outcomes from beef.
On the other hand: Every single plant based “meat” product in production currently contains at least 1 (if not multiple) ingredient(s) that can be shown to cause negative health outcomes. Don’t believe the plant based hype. It’s fraught with little green lies.
What are the benefits of eating red meat?
In this post I’ll review the heath benefits of eating beef with specific examples and links to data. These benefits are the same for the meat of all ruminant animals (deer, elk, buffalo, and so on).
These nutrients are all found in the meat of ruminant animals. However, if you want to take it up a notch, introduce beef liver into your diet, more on that here: Beef Liver (a list of nutrients)
L-Carnitine
Beef Contains High Levels of L-Carnitine
- Plays a part in fat metabolism (transporting fats into our mitochondria for burning)
- Associated with a 27% reduction in all-cause mortality, a 65% reduction in ventricular arrhythmias, and a 40% reduction in angina in patients experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) – source
- Improves fasting glucose levels and the overall cholesterol profile. – source
- Aids in weight loss. – source
- NOTE: L-Carnitine via supplement, the absorption rate is only about 15% – source – Go right to the source: red meat.
- L-Carnitine in 4oz of Beef (50-150 mg) compared to (3-5mg) in 4oz of chicken and .1 in 1/2 cup of Asparagus
Glutathione
Glutathione (Antioxidant) is found in Beef
While most people don’t know about glutathione, this compound performs several important functions for your health. It’s an anti-oxidant that keeps your natural aging at bay and supports a longer life.
Glutathione also enhances your immune system and protects against cellular damage. That protection lowers your risk for nearly every chronic disease.
Your body produces its own glutathione, but it needs certain amino acids to perform the process. Beef contains these amino acids as well as its own additional glutathione.
- Helps in preventing illness
- Great anti-aging benefits
- Increase longevity
- Helps to reduce the risk of chronic disease
- Bolster the immune system
Minerals
Beef is Mineral Rich
- Phosphorus
- Zink
- Calcium
- Copper
- Iron (more on this below)
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Selenium
Vitamins
Beef is Vitamin Rich
B vitamins are a powerhouse. They include a wide range of essential minerals, including B12, riboflavin, niacin (or B3), folate, thiamin, B6, and pantothenic acid.
B vitamins support a variety of healthy functions throughout the body. They reduce the effects of aging. They also reduce your risk for heart disease, the most common cause of death in the US, so they could even help you live longer.
These vitamins also support current and lasting neurological function. They’re known for helping you have a healthy sleep cycle and even maintain stronger fertility.
The benefits of B vitamins extend to your mental health as well. They contribute to a more consistently positive mood and reduce the risk and severity of depression.
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B5
Protein
Beef IS Protein
- Important to building and maintaining lean muscle mass. Lean mass encourages longevity in addition to making daily activities easier and more rewarding.
- We need protein to assist in making and maintaining bone, skin, and cartilage.
Creatine
Beef is a Great Source of Creatine
- Beef typically contains 350mg creatine per 100g – solid.
- Muscle growth, size, and development
- Greater energy supply and improved endurance
Fatty Acids
Fatty Acids in Beef
A word on Inflammation. Many people have problems with too much or too little inflammation in their body, which can lead to a variety of issues. Inflammation is also the key aspect of several common conditions like arthritis.
Fatty acids are instrumental in keeping inflammation in control. Your body uses fatty acids to create prostaglandins, which regulate how much inflammation your body needs and where.
Iron
Beef & Iron
Iron is an important nutrient, and it’s one that we often don’t get in appropriate levels. Anemia (iron deficiency) can be a serious health detriment and it can even be fatal in extreme cases. Iron is even more important for pregnant women because it helps fetal brain development.
While there is iron in some plant products, your body absorbs iron more easily when it comes from beef. That’s part of the reason beef is such a staple of the paleo diet.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid
Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Beef
This is one of the lesser-known nutrients in beef, but that doesn’t make it any less essential. It’s particularly helpful for people who have obesity and want to lose weight because it improves your insulin sensitivity and promotes fat loss.
Carnosine
Carnosine in Beef
This amino acid brings us back to inflammation. Carnosine helps your body regulate inflammation by bringing it to areas that need healing and reducing inflammation when it isn’t needed. It also supports an overall healthier immune system and even slows down your internal aging process. I highly recommend reading about Beta Alanine and Carnosine in this post.
Benefits of Eating Meat (Overview)
Beef and other ruminant meat has not been shown to reduce life span or negatively impact health in any causation-linked study available today. In fact, beef and other ruminant meats are shown to positively impact health due to a wide variety of nutrients in addition to its balance of your body’s essentially needed macronutrient: protein.
In beef, you get: L-Carnitine, Glutathione, Phosphorus, Zink, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Selenium, Creatine, Fatty Acids, Conjugated Linoleic Acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, Carnosine, and protein.
Combined, the nutrients found in beef help to provide:
- Assistance in transporting fats into our mitochondria for burning.
- Improvements with fasting glucose levels and the overall cholesterol profile.
- Prevention of unnecessary illness.
- Increased longevity.
- Reduction of chronic disease outcomes.
- A stronger immune system.
- Heart disease risk reduction.
- Support for neurological function.
- Improvement of sleep cycle and circadian rhythm.
- Improvement in mood and reduction of severe depression.
- Assistance in the growth of lean muscle mass.
- Protection from Anemia.
- Regulation for inflammation and improved healing.
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The content provided on this page is meant for informational purposes only. For personalized medical advice, please seek the council of your personal, trusted, and qualified medical professional.