Why grass fed beef is healthier

Cynthia is currently the sports nutrition consultant to the New York Yankees, previously consulted for three other professional sports teams, and is board certified as a specialist in sports dietetics.

Connect with her on Facebook , Twitter and Pinterest. Here's Everything You Need to Know. Cynthia Sass. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. Save Pin FB More. Credit: Getty Images. All rights reserved. Close Sign in. Most claims, however, focus on omega-3 fats, in particular alpha linolenic acid ALA. Higher intakes of this plant-based omega-3 fatty acid are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and depression.

According to Dr. Richard Bazinet, a professor in the department of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto who analyzes fatty acids in beef, grass-fed beef outranks grain-fed beef when it comes to ALA. Conventional beef has about 20 milligrams of ALA in three ounces, whereas the same amount of grass-fed beef has 50 to mg.

A big difference? That depends. Women need 1, mg of ALA each day; men require 1, mg. Eating a six-ounce grass-fed steak three times a week provides, at most, 5 per cent to 8 per cent of your daily ALA requirement. Making the switch to other grass-fed animal foods, such as pasture-raised poultry and eggs and grass-fed dairy, could conceivably make an appreciable difference towards your daily ALA needs.

Even so, some of the best sources of ALA include flax oil one teaspoon has 2, mg ALA , ground flaxseed one tablespoon has 1, mg , chia seeds one tbsp. Analyses have also revealed that, compared to grain-fed beef, grass-fed beef has a higher concentration of conjugated linoleic acid CLA , a fatty acid thought to have anti-cancer properties.

Yet, some experts say this difference disappears when the meat is cooked. Grass-fed beef is also higher in antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamin E than conventional beef. Whether the amounts are large enough to be significant to health remains to be seen. To me, it seems that grass-fed cattle lead more natural lives moving about in open pastures and eating the food that nature intended them to eat.

Ruminant animals such as cows are well equipped to digest grass and turn it into protein. Cows are not, however, evolved to digest grain. Switching cows to a corn-heavy diet upsets their digestive system and increases the likelihood of acidosis acidified rumen , which can lead to heartburn, stomach ulcers and liver abscesses. The vast majority of grain-fed beef comes from cattle raised in overcrowded feedlots without access to pasture, fresh air or exercise.

Beef is an exceptional source of protein, B vitamins, iron and zinc. However, conventionally raised cows are later moved to feedlots and fed mainly grain-based feeds.

What a cow eats can significantly affect the nutrient composition of its beef. This is particularly evident when it comes to fatty acid composition. Grass-fed beef usually contains less total fat than grain-fed beef, which means that gram for gram, grass-fed beef contains fewer calories 2.

In short, there are some significant differences in the composition and amount of fat in grass- and grain-fed beef. Moreover, the breed and cut of meat considerably affect the fat composition of beef 2. Grass-fed beef may contain less total fat than grain-fed beef, but a lot more omega-3 fatty acids and CLA, which are both linked to health benefits.

Beef is loaded with vitamin B12, B3, and B6. In fact, meat contains almost every nutrient that you need to survive 6. It also contains high quality protein and various lesser-known nutrients, such as creatine and carnosine, which are very important for your muscles and brain. Grass-fed beef also tends to be richer in other antioxidants 7 , 8. Conventional grain-fed beef is highly nutritious, but grass-fed beef contains more carotenoids, vitamin E, and other antioxidants.

In the United States, grass-fed beef can be more expensive, and it may not be worth the extra cost for some people. There can also be subtle differences in taste. Grass-fed beef is often leaner and may have a different texture. In the end, the choice depends on your preferences and ideals.

Some people prefer grass-fed, while others prefer grain-fed. Try both and see which one you like better. Although grass and grain-fed beef differ in several nutrients, their effects on your health may be similar. Despite all the controversies in the field of nutrition, most people agree that the most important thing is to eat real food.

Some people like to take this idea a step further and only eat real food that eats real food. After all, grasses and herbs are a more natural diet for cows than corn and soy. This is a detailed review of beef the meat from cattle , looking at its nutritional properties and health effects. There are things you can do to ensure that your meat is as healthy as possible.