The benefits of pork: composition, nutritional value, benefits and harm, reviews

Fatty pork meat is few associated with proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Many people consider the product to be extremely harmful and try to exclude it from the diet. Nevertheless, the benefits of pork to the body are very significant.

Some "meat" facts

Before you begin to consider the benefits of pork, you should pay attention to several interesting facts related to this type of meat. Here are the main ones:

• The approximate number of pigs in the world is about 500 million. It turns out that for every 12 people there is one animal.
• According to archaeological finds, people began to eat pork for food as early as the Stone Age.
• Pork has long been the only meat dish of peasants who lived in medieval Europe.
• People professing Islam and Judaism are forbidden to eat pork, as the animal is considered unclean.
• The leading country for pork consumption is China.

Chemical composition

The benefits of pork are due to its rich chemical composition. Here are some valuable substances that make up meat:

• Selenium is an important element for the immune system found in animal products. Pork is one of its most valuable sources.
• Zinc is an indispensable useful substance for the male and female reproductive systems, as well as for building bone and muscle tissue. 100 g of pork contains up to 20% of the daily norm of the substance.
• Phosphorus - is responsible for the beauty of hair and nails, as well as the strength of bones and teeth. This is an important source of energy for the normal functioning of the body. A gram serving of meat contains up to 25% of the daily norm of the substance.
• Iron is a substance necessary to maintain the normal composition of the blood and the activity of the cardiovascular system.
• Magnesium - supports the functioning of the heart muscle and stimulates brain activity. 100 g of product contains 7% of the daily norm of the substance.
• Potassium maintains water balance in the body, and also normalizes blood pressure. A gram serving of pork covers up to 11% of the daily requirement for this substance.
• Vitamin B1 helps maintain a normal psycho-emotional state. Among different types of meat, pork is considered the leader in its content (up to 50% of the daily norm in 100 g of product).
• Vitamin B2 has a beneficial effect on the skin, hair and nails, stabilizes body weight. Helps to overcome craving for alcohol and nicotine.
• Vitamin B6 normalizes metabolic processes, and also stabilizes the activity of the central nervous system.
• Vitamin B12 improves vision and activates the brain. 100 g of meat contains up to 8% of the daily norm of the substance.
• Creatine is involved in the formation of muscle fibers and makes up for the lack of energy.
• Glutathione cleanses the liver and restores the damaged organ structure.
• Taurine is a valuable amino acid that supports the normal functioning of the heart muscle. Despite the fact that the body independently produces this substance, pork serves as a good additional source.

Nutritional and energy value

Pork can not be called a dietary product. This is a fairly high-calorie meal. Nutrition and energy value are described in the table.

The benefits of the digestive system

Studying the benefits of pork, you should first pay attention to the digestive system. It cannot function normally without vitamins B1, B3, B6 and B9. Deficiency of these substances is a common cause of ulcerative colitis, stool disorders, intestinal atony, and liver infiltration. The surest way to make up for the deficiency of these vitamins in the body is to include pork in the diet.

To maintain a healthy digestive system, pork is best eaten stewed, baked or boiled. These cooking methods allow you to save the greatest amount of nutrients, as well as provide easy digestibility. The use of such dishes can prevent gastritis. But it is better to refuse salty, dried or fried pork, since such products are too heavy for the stomach.

Benefits to the nervous system

The benefits of pork for the body are manifested in a beneficial effect on the central nervous system. The fact is that the central nervous system cannot function normally without B vitamins, which are abundant in this meat. Here are the positive changes that come with people who regularly eat pork:

• emotional poise;
• elimination of irritability;
• good mood;
• normalization of sleep;
• helps in the fight against depression.

Benefits to the reproductive system

It is difficult to evaluate the benefits of pork for men. The product helps to increase testosterone levels in the body, which, in turn, is the main one in the male body. It supports erectile function, helps to increase muscle mass.

An increase in testosterone levels with pork is due to the presence of zinc in the meat. If there is not enough substance in the body, the production of male hormone decreases, the functions of the prostate are inhibited, and the quality of sperm deteriorates. Therefore, to maintain men's health and prevent infertility, it is important to eat pork meat.

Benefits for the cardiovascular system

Considering the benefits of pork for the human body, it is worth paying attention to the cardiovascular system. The meat contains all the necessary vitamins, acids and microelements that maintain stable pressure, provide continuous stable blood circulation, and promote tissue enrichment with oxygen.

Zinc and magnesium, which are found in sufficient amounts in pork, support heart muscle health. Amino acid arginine cleanses blood vessels and stimulates normal blood circulation. Also properly cooked lean pork normalizes blood cholesterol.

Benefits for the muscular system

Pork is one of the best sources of proteins, which are an important building material for muscle fibers. This type of meat contains high-quality protein, which is vital for strength training. If enough protein is not supplied to the body, a sharp loss of muscle mass is possible, as well as degeneration of muscle tissue. Moreover, a sufficient amount of protein in the diet is the key to physical endurance and activity throughout the day.

Beauty Benefits

The benefit of boiled pork, as well as broths and jellies based on it, is sure to be appreciated by women. The thing is that the product is rich in collagen. This substance provides firmness and elasticity of the skin, preventing the early appearance of signs of aging. And this substance is vital for strong nails and healthy shiny hair.

Pork and Slimming

The desire for an ideal figure makes you make serious changes to the diet. Pork and diet menus are considered completely incompatible things. And completely in vain. A tender neck or tenderloin prepared by stewing or boiling is a great basis for a diet. And that's why:

• a nutritious product provides the body with the necessary resources for normal life (it contains several times more vitamins than in beef and especially in poultry);
• pork meat stimulates the body's energy production;
• To quench hunger, you need a very small portion of pork.

Possible harm

The benefits and harms of pork for health is an important issue that should be carefully studied if you plan to include this type of meat in the diet. Here are the possible harm from using the product:

• Pork in large quantities contains growth hormone. Therefore, if you consume too much product, there is a risk of hypertrophic inflammation and the development of benign formations.
• An excess of histamine, which is rich in pork, leads to the development of allergies, activation of inflammatory processes, and diseases of the biliary tract. It is also fraught with skin problems.
• According to virologists, the lung tissue of a pig, which is part of the flask, is an ideal environment for the development of the influenza virus. And getting into the body, the virus can manifest itself only after a while.
• Pork is fatty and heavy enough for assimilation. If it is often and in large quantities, it can provoke liver disease.

The main contraindications

Despite all the benefits of pork to humans, in some cases its use is strictly prohibited. Here are the main contraindications:

• obesity;
• risk of myocardial infarction or post-infarction condition;
• cholecystitis;
• eczema;
• atherosclerotic plaques in the vessels;
• liver disease
• renal failure;
• allergy or individual intolerance.

Pork Myths

Information about the dangers and benefits of pork is often based on unconfirmed myths. Here are the main ones:

• Pork smells bad. This really happens, but very rarely. This mainly applies to home production. And at industrial enterprises, the ration of animals is carefully monitored and neutered a few months before slaughter, which virtually eliminates the likelihood of an unpleasant odor.
• The most dangerous kebab is pork. The harm and benefits of barbecue pork no more and no less than other meat. A black crust on chicken is no less dangerous than a similar pork soot, because both are carcinogens.
• Pork is addictive. This statement is not entirely true. You eat pork because it is delicious, and not because you are addicted. Nobody talks about addiction if poultry meat or beef predominates in the diet?
• Pork is the "favorite" meat of parasites. In fact, they live in any living organism. If you follow the rules of heat treatment, you are not in danger.
• Pork should not be given to children. In fact, the benefits of boiled pork for children are invaluable. Nutritionists recommend introducing complementary foods after months. It’s worth starting with a teaspoon of lean meat puree. Depending on the reaction of the child's body to such complementary foods, adjust the portion size.
• Pork causes an upset stomach. High-quality meat in moderation has the most positive effect on the digestive system. Moreover, it prevents the development of gastritis.

The choice of quality meat

In order for the benefits of pork meat to be fully revealed, it is important to eat a quality product. Here are some points to consider when buying:

• Do not buy meat in places of spontaneous trade. Choose only those shops and markets that comply with sanitary standards.
• You can recognize high-quality young meat by its pale pink color, matte surface and dense elastic texture.
• If you buy meat with fat, make sure that the fat layer is white. If they are yellow, it means that the pork is old.
• The smell of meat should be fresh and pleasant without any impurities.

Tasty tips

Different parts of pork have a different texture, taste, as well as nutritional and energy value. Therefore, each of them needs an individual approach to processing and preparation. Here are the main tips of the hostesses for cooking tasty and healthy dishes:

• Head, shank, legs, tail - excellent raw materials for aspic. By the way, the benefits of pork jellied meat are invaluable for people suffering from diseases of the musculoskeletal system, because the dish contains a lot of collagen necessary for healthy joints.
• Neck and tenderloin are tender lean meat that is great for baking in the oven or cooking over an open fire. You can also cook soups with such pork.
• Loin and ham are excellent raw materials for cooking minced meat. Saturated borsch can be cooked on the bone of the ham.
• A spatula with a small layer of fat is suitable for homemade sausages, kebabs and broths.
• The peritoneum is very fat, and therefore suitable for stewing. Also from this part you can cook rolls with filling.

Opinions of the hostesses

It is also worth asking about the benefits and taste of pork from housewives and those who are fans of this type of meat. Here are the main reviews:

• The ideal combination is pork with cabbage. It is both tasty and healthy (both main courses and first courses).
• The maximum benefit of boiled pork. In order for the meat to be completely cooked, but not lose useful properties, after boiling water, it needs to be heated for another half hour.
• You can really lose weight on pork. Meat quickly gives a feeling of fullness, which reduces the size of portions.
• If you have properly cooked (boiled, stewed or baked) pork at least a couple of times a week, your health and appearance will significantly improve.
• If previously there was no pork in your diet, you need to introduce it in small portions so that the body is "used" to digest and assimilate this "heavy" product.