Is eating pork really good for your body? Let's find out for sure!

Pork is a food that many of us enjoy eating, especially during festive occasions. However, we often hear stories like "eating pork is not good for the body," "it increases cholesterol." So is pork really good for the body? Or is it bad? You may be confused because of the different opinions on this. Okay, so today we will talk about this clearly and simply.

Is pork a type of "red meat"?

Although pork is often referred to as "the other white meat," scientifically speaking , pork is a type of red meat, just like beef and goat meat. We need to understand this first.

Although many people around the world eat pork, some religions, such as Islam and Judaism, prohibit the consumption of pork. Because it is a type of red meat, there is a general perception that pork is unhealthy. However, if we choose it properly, cook it properly, and eat it in moderation, pork can be a very healthy food. Think about it, a well-chosen piece of pork (pork tenderloin) can be as lean as a chicken breast.

Let's look at the nutrition contained in pork.

Pork is not just a delicious dish, it is also a great source of nutrition. Let's see what 100 grams of cooked pork contains.

In addition to this, pork is a good source of many other vitamins and minerals that are essential for our body.

• Protein: Rich in high-quality protein.
• B vitamins: Thiamine (Vitamin B1) , Niacin (Vitamin B3) , Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 are particularly abundant. In fact, pork contains more thiamine than other red meats like beef and goat. These B vitamins are essential for the production of our blood cells and brain function.
• Iron: Pork is an excellent source of iron, especially the heme iron, which is easily absorbed by our bodies.
• Zinc: Zinc is very important for strengthening the immune system.
• Selenium: Selenium is essential for the proper functioning of our thyroid gland. A well-cooked piece of pork can provide almost all of our daily selenium needs.

What are the health benefits of eating pork?

Due to the nutritional properties we discussed earlier, we can gain several health benefits by adding properly prepared, low-fat pork to our diet in moderation.

Muscle maintenance and growth

The high-quality protein in pork is one of the best ingredients for building new muscles in our bodies. As we age, our muscle mass naturally decreases. When this condition becomes severe, it can even lead to a condition called sarcopenia . This is excessive muscle wasting.

Improved muscle function

Pork contains an amino acid called beta-alanine . This helps our body produce a compound called carnosine . Carnosine is very important for muscle function.

Research has found that taking beta-alanine supplements for 4-10 weeks increases muscle carnosine levels by 40-80%. These higher levels of carnosine have also been linked to reduced fatigue and increased muscle performance .

Let's also be aware of the risks of eating pork.

Along with the benefits, there are also some risks we need to be aware of when eating pork. If we are aware of these, we can enjoy pork safely.

Sodium (Salt) and Saturated Fats

While pork is healthy, some pork products can be high in sodium (salt) and saturated fat . Both of these are things we need to control in a healthy diet. These are especially common in cured/processed pork products like bacon, sausages, and ham.

If you have to control your salt intake due to conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease, choose lean, unprocessed pork whenever possible. When you go to the store, it's wise to choose the lean, white-colored cuts.

Also, the way you cook pork affects the fat content. Instead of deep frying, use methods like grilling, roasting, or baking .

Diseases caused by parasites

This is the thing we need to be most concerned about. Eating raw or undercooked pork can cause parasitic infections.

1. Pork Tapeworm (Taenia solium): This is a parasite that lives in our intestines. Although most of the time it is harmless, in some cases, the eggs of these worms can cause a disease called cysticercosis . If this affects the brain, it can cause serious conditions such as epilepsy.

2. Trichinosis: This is an infection caused by a species of roundworm called Trichinella . Although the symptoms are usually mild (fever, muscle aches, diarrhea), it can sometimes be fatal, especially in the elderly.