Many of us love to eat animal meat. Especially when we hear the word curry made from things like liver, heart, and kidneys, our mouths salivate. But some say that eating these is not good for the body and that it increases cholesterol. Others say that it is the best food to nourish the body and is good for anemia. So what is the truth of this story? Today, let's talk about these animal internal organs, or in English, `(Organ Meat)` or `(Offal)`.
What is this Organ Meat?
Simply put, this refers to the internal organs of animals that can be eaten, other than muscle meat. For example, parts like the liver, heart, brain, kidneys, and intestines.
These are very popular dishes in our country as well as in many countries around the world. Duck liver in France, beef tongue in Latin America, pork liver in Germany, and kidneys, stomachs, and intestines in Asian countries are eaten with relish. In the past, our grandparents gave greater value to these organs than to a piece of meat. Because they knew about the nutritional value of this food.
How is the nutritional value of this dish?
When compared to the types of meat we usually eat, these internal organs are often very nutritious. Let's look at a few examples.
| Nutrition | 4 ounces (about 113 grams) of raw beef liver | 4 ounces (about 113 grams) of raw beef heart |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 153 | 127 |
| Protein | 23 grams | 20 grams |
| Fat | 4 grams | 4 grams |
| Carbohydrates (Carbs) | 4 grams | 0 grams |
In addition, with the exception of the intestines and brain, most internal organs are rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, iron, and zinc .
What are the benefits of eating organ meat?
Okay, now let's see what good results eating these brings to our health.
Strength for the body, a solution for fatigue
A problem that many people have is "feeling tired all the time." Iron deficiency can be a major cause of this. Animal liver and kidneys are foods rich in iron. So, those who suffer from fatigue due to iron deficiency, especially women, can increase their body strength by adding these to their diet.
For brain health and memory
Liver is rich in thiamin, or vitamin B1. Studies have shown that thiamin may help prevent risk factors for Alzheimer's disease , such as memory loss.
Helps reduce the risk of cancer
Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is an important vitamin that helps protect the body from several types of cancer. It is also abundant in the liver and kidneys. Studies have shown that riboflavin reduces the risk of lung and colon cancer.
Protection from heart disease risk
Most internal organs, except the intestines, have very high levels of vitamin B12. When vitamin B12 is combined with the folate contained in these, it controls the level of a substance called ``Homocysteine`` in our blood. Elevated levels of ``Homocysteine`` are a major risk factor for heart disease.
Strengthening the immune system
Zinc is abundant in organs like the liver, kidneys, and heart. Zinc is essential for the proper functioning of our body's immune system. People with zinc deficiency are more likely to develop diseases and infections.
But be sure to be aware of these risks.
No matter how beneficial these are, like everything else, there are a few things to be careful about when eating them.
The most important thing is to eat these in moderation . They say too much of anything is not good.
Cholesterol level
Although these are high in nutrition, they are also high in cholesterol, especially in the liver and heart. High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Therefore, if you already have high cholesterol, it is important to talk to your doctor before eating these foods. Even for the average person, it is best to limit eating them to once a week.
Not suitable for people with gout.
People with gout should avoid these foods completely because they are high in a compound called purine. These purine-rich foods can further damage the joints of people with gout.
For those with excess iron in the body (Hemochromatosis)
This is a rare condition. Hemochromatosis is a condition in which the body accumulates too much iron. People with this diagnosis should limit their intake of iron-rich foods, such as liver, as it can worsen the condition.
Take-Home Message
- Organ meat is a very nutritious food that is full of essential nutrients like vitamin B, iron, and zinc.
- No matter how good they are, they contain cholesterol, so it's important to eat them in moderation . Once or twice a week is enough.
- If you have conditions such as high cholesterol, gout, or hemochromatosis , be sure to consult your doctor before consuming these.
- It is very important to cook these well-cooked . Eating them raw or undercooked can cause infections.
- A balanced diet is best. You can stay healthy by combining nutritious foods like these with vegetables, fruits, and grains in moderation, rather than limiting yourself to just one type of food.
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