Programs about a healthy lifestyle every day remind us how harmful the use of animal fats is for the human body. But scientists still have not exactly proved that animal fats have only a negative effect on the human body, and nutritionists all over the world still advise to use this fat in small quantities.
What it is
Animal fats are natural compounds that are extracted from the bone, adipose and other tissues of animals. They can be obtained from milk and eggs of mammals, vertebrates, as well as from some species of fish. But you do not need to consider only true fat mass as fat. This composition also includes enzymes that are not visible to the human eye, which are part of another animal mass. Animal fats are a chemical compound of atoms of esters, acids and alcohols. They form the calorie content and distribute it into different categories of assimilation.
Fat production
In general, animal fats are mostly solids. They are obtained by melting, that is, the animal’s carcass is heated to a temperature at which solid fat melts. As a rule, the mass is heated in special rooms with the help of equipment intended for this. Both hard and soft fat can be processed.
Before sending the animal fat for processing, sanitary research is carried out. If it is subject to disinfection, then it is also sent for recycling. The main technical action for processing is the process of heating. There are two ways: continuous and periodic. The continuous method uses special lines that are also equipped with cleaning filters. Periodic flooding involves the use of high atmospheric pressure.
There are certain rules when choosing a production technology. First, of course, the amount of raw materials is taken into account. It depends on the capacity of the processing meat processing plant. Secondly, much attention is paid to the quality and composition of the raw materials. There are types of fat that have a complex structure and are poorly impacted. Or, for example, raw materials contain very little pure fat.
In production, it should be remembered that animal fat is an excellent accumulator of various odors. For example, if a pig was fed fish mixes before slaughter, then the fat will smell like fish after processing. Foreign odors turn the final product into a defective product, and its cost is significantly reduced.
Fat classification
Fats have their own classification: by type of animal, by variety, consistency, purpose of use, source and method of production.
Type of animals. These include organic compounds of marine inhabitants, freshwater fish, mammals that live on land, as well as freshwater and reptiles.
The type of animal fat depends on the degree of purification. Like any product, it can be of the first, second or third grade. The consistency can also be different: liquid, soft or hard.
Fat is extracted from different parts. This can be subcutaneous fat, which is known to everyone as fat, liver, bone, as well as fat inside the carcass. The method of obtaining may also be different. There is a drip dry, wet, using alkali or acid.
Fat composition
Fat is the highest calorie product. However, its value is not in calories, but in biological saturation. This is mainly determined by the number of vitamins D and E, which are dissolved only with the help of fat, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids.
The composition of animal fats is determined by two groups: saturated and unsaturated acids. Unsaturated fats and fatty acids are most valuable to humans. Many of them are synthesized in the human body on their own, so you do not need to use them additionally. Vegetable fats are particularly rich in unsaturated acids. That is why they bring more benefits than animal fats. One of the main unsaturated fats are linoleic and arachidonic acids. They are also produced in the human body, but in extremely small quantities. It is necessary to eat foods containing these acids, as their lack can seriously damage health.
Types of fat
Fats are divided into several types. There are saturated, unsaturated and trans fats.
Saturated fats are mainly fats of animal origin: various types of meat, milk, cheeses and cottage cheese. Unsaturated refers to the mass obtained from plant fibers such as nuts, avocados, olive oil. Unsaturated fats are obtained from certain types of fish: tuna, herring and salmon. Therefore, their meat is highly regarded in the gastronomic world.
The latter type includes trans fats. These are the so-called "harmful" fats that clog the walls of blood vessels. We use it with french fries, various smoked products, margarine or deep-fried dishes. You need to be very careful about consuming such foods in order to avoid serious health problems in the future.
Beneficial features
Every day, millions of people in the world go on another low-calorie diet. However, scientists have long found that refusal of fats does not lead to weight loss and can adversely affect the body as a whole. The logic is simple. Since animal fats are the most high-calorie elements in food, a complete rejection of them will lead to weight loss in a natural way. However, not all so simple. Unsaturated and saturated fatty acids play a huge role in maintaining all the vital functions of the body. Here are the main criteria:
- Increased immunity. Products found in the refrigerator of every person, such as eggs, lard, butter, contain valuable arachidonic acid, which helps the body fight all infections and viruses.
- Protection of the nervous system. The composition of nerve tissue and brain cells includes a large amount of saturated fatty acids. Reducing the intake of these fats is not recommended, since a shortage can lead to serious nervous disorders up to Alzheimer's disease.
- Normalization of cholesterol. It is believed that limiting cholesterol intake is an excellent prophylaxis for heart and vascular diseases. However, most of the cholesterol is produced by the body itself, and its lack can lead to disruption of the liver and kidneys.
- The structure and appearance of the skin improves. Retinol, which is part of animal fat, helps to heal small scratches and wounds on the skin, and improves elasticity.
GOST animal fat, which is eaten 25292-82. When buying food, you should pay attention to the presence of labeling. If it is not there, then the fat is prepared according to individual specifications, which are indicated by the TU marking.
Harm animal fats
Despite the large list of useful properties, you should not get involved in animal fat. With its use, you can easily overdo it, and then harm to health will be fatal. For example, if you constantly use pork fat for cooking, then you will not notice how you gain excess weight. The main danger in excessive consumption of animal fats is the provocation of diseases of the cardiovascular system. But you can’t refuse it. The optimal percentage of the daily diet for a young person should be 40%, for older people less than 30%.
GOST feed fat
Fat is necessary not only for normal human life. Its use in agriculture plays a huge role. Animal feed fat is a raw material derived from raw materials that are not eaten and used for the production of animal feed. It is used for feeding poultry and livestock and has its own production standards. GOST animal feed fat 17483-72. It is these standards that are decisive for its use in the agricultural sector. Technical fat can be of the first and second grade. Before it goes into production, special tests determine the content of various substances in it, which should contribute to the growth of poultry and livestock.
Melted fat
The raw material for obtaining melted fats is tissue, separated during the cutting of carcasses of cattle or poultry. This is raw bacon. It is cleaned of contaminants, blood and other compounds that violate the structure, washed, and sent for heating.
Ghee animal fat retains a maximum of beneficial elements and vitamins. Ghee should be stored in a special closed container so that it does not absorb other odors, and also comes in contact with water and air to a minimum, as this helps oxidize and shorten shelf life. Store it at a temperature of minus five to minus eight degrees. It can be stored in glass, wooden, plastic or paper containers.
The range of melted fats is very wide. They drown beef, mutton, bone and pork fat. Each type has an individual color and consistency, as well as a melting point.
Beef ghee can be identified by a rather pleasant smell and light yellow or yellow color. The melting point is about 45 degrees, so fat is classified as poorly digestible.
Lamb ghee is white or light yellow. In the molten state, it is transparent. The melting point is about 45 degrees and it, as well as beef, is classified as a poorly digestible fat.
Pork fat is white or grayish and, in consistency, resembles an ointment. The temperature at which it melts is 37 degrees.
List of foods containing animal fats
We don’t think, but in fact animal fats are on our table every day. When choosing such products, it is worthwhile to carefully study the label and make sure that the fat content of the product starts from 1%, since products that are completely devoid of fat lose almost all of their beneficial properties. So, animal fats and the list of products:
- rabbit meat;
- a hen;
- milk;
- eggs
- pork;
- beef;
- fish;
- cottage cheese;
- mussels;
- crabs;
- turkey;
- cream;
- yogurt;
- caviar.
With proper preparation, animal fats and proteins, which are the building blocks of cells, will not be destroyed. The calorie content of the dish also does not increase.
The healing properties of animal fat
Animal fat has long been used as one of the main drugs. All raw materials from which fats and oils could be extracted were considered valuable. Special medical properties are animal fat. It is used as an independent drug, included in other medicines as a healing element, used for the production of ointments and various solvents.
Animal fat is an excellent preventative measure. It is used for external and internal use. External use is associated with various creams and ointments. For these purposes, use pork fat. It has an excellent oily consistency, excellent dissolves other elements. Used in ointments against frostbite and for healing.
Inside, fats are used as a mild laxative. Its acids irritate the intestinal walls, moisturize and soften, thereby helping to cleanse the body.
Slimming fats
Many people associate the process of losing weight with the complete exclusion of all types of fats. It's a delusion. They are needed for the full functioning of the body. With weight loss, the body experiences stress, hormonal changes occur. And for the synthesis of hormones, fats are required. The main names that contribute to accelerated weight loss are fish oil, badger and shark fat. Their unique composition contributes to the formation of rapid chemical reactions, which, in turn, accelerate all processes.