pros and cons of eating meat

Introduction :

Meat is a muscle tissue of mammals and birds. You must have listened to people saying that meat is healthy for you. But some people say it’s not right for you. There is always a debate between people for meat consumption. Meat contains all essential amino acids.that is why it is called complete protein.

Types of meat :

Meat can be categorized into three types

White meat :

Whit meat is light in color, unlike red meat. The primary source of white meat is birds and small mammals. Examples of white meat are

• Chicken
• Duck
• rabbit
• Turkey
• Fish
• Birds like quail

Red meat :

It is red in color when raw and has a dark color after cooking. It comes from mammals and higher in proteins than white meat. Examples of red meat are

• Beef
• Goat
• Lamb
• Deer
• Pork
• Veal

Processed meat :

Meat that is modified with the help of curing, smoking, drying, and salting is called processed meat. We modify it to preserve or to enhance its flavor. Examples of processed meat are

• Bacon
• Hot dogs
• Sausage
• Smoked meat
• Canned meat

Nutrition chart of meat :

100 grams of meat contains

Nutrients	Amount
Calories	143
Proteins	26 g
Fat	3.5 g
Sodium	57 mg
Vitamin A	0% of DV
Vitamin D	2% of DV
Magnesium	7% of daily value
Potassium	421 mg
Vitamin B-6	35%
Iron	6% of DV
Niacin	0.3 mg (1% of DV)

nutrition value reference

Pros and cons of eating meat :

Pros of eating meat:

• Increases energy level :

Meat is excellent for boosting your energy level. It is rich in iron, vitamin B-complex, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Heme iron is found in meat that is essential for digestion, growth and boosting your energy level throughout the day. Vitamin B12 in meat helps the body to convert food into glucose, which produces energy. Meat is the perfect diet for you if you feel weak in working hours.

• Supports metabolism :

A slower metabolism can cause many problems in the body. The best vitamin for metabolism is vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is a coenzyme that boosts metabolism. It works together with vitamin B9 folate to synthesize nucleic acid and helps to maintain blood cells. Beef is rich in vitamin B12 that supports metabolism.

• Healthy brain :

Eating meat boosts your brain health. White meat is excellent for keeping your brain healthy. Organic meat is better than inorganic as it contains 47% more of omega-three acids. This fatty acid develops your brain and keeps it healthy. Fish meat has a significant impact on the brain when it comes to memory loss and depression. Add meat in your diet to sharp your brain.

• Strong immune system :

A healthy immune system is a primary requirement for a healthy lifestyle. If you don’t have a healthy immune system, you are more likely to catch a fever, especially in cold and flu season. Meat is high in zinc. Zinc helps to heal wounds, keeps the immune system strong, and supports healthy growth. Meat such as steak, pork, and beef can make your immune system healthy.

• Rich in proteins :

Meat is a powerhouse of proteins. Your body needs protein to build new tissue and repair damaged ones. It is an essential component of every cell in the body. Your body uses protein to make crucial enzymes, hormones, and other chemicals that are required for proper functioning in the body. It is building a block of bones, muscles, and skin.

Cons of eating meat :

• Risk of cancer :

Frequent consumption of red meat can cause the risk of cancer like breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. Consumption of red meat is linked with colorectal cancer. Red meat can increase the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 20-30%. Heam is pigment in red meat that can cause cell damage. And this can increase the risk of cancer.

• Weight gain :

Red meat can cause weight gain. It is rich in calories, so if you consume red meat daily, it can make you fat, and weight gain can lead to high blood pressure and heart diseases. Your body has a specific tendency to store fats, so if you eat foods like meat regularly. There are chances that you can gain weight.

• Leads to diabetes :

Excessive consumption of red meat can cause diabetes. Meat can also cause some severe health issues. Higher intake of red meat is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Meat is rich in heme iron that causes diabetes. Studies have shown that women with a higher amount of heme iron in their bodies were found with a higher risk of diabetes than those with a lower amount of heme iron.

• Harmful hormones :

Hormones are injected into animals for their faster growth. When you eat meat, you also eat those hormones, and those hormones cause serious health problems like breast cancer and tumor. Researches have shown that these hormones in animal meat increase the risk of severe diseases. It is the reason many people prefer to eat vegetables as they are afraid of the quality of meat available in the market.

• Can cause early death :

Research at Harvard has shown the link between red meat and the cause of death. It also confirmed that younger people who ate red meat more frequently died due to cancer or cardiovascular disease. Moreover leading cause of death in many people around the world is a diet that is rich in calories, saturated fats, and high bad cholesterol levels. There is a saying that people who eat vegetables live longer than people who eat meat.

Conclusion :

In my opinion, eating meat is a personal choice. If you are eating meat and feel healthy, there is no need to stop as meat is rich in essential nutrients that are necessary for health. Moreover, adequately cooked meat has many nutrients and benefits. But don’t eat it daily, keep it in moderation as the excess of everything is terrible.

If you don’t feel right eating animals, then you can stay healthy eating only vegetable diet. In fact, a diet with minimum meat is more healthful than a diet full of meat. In the end, the choice is yours.