Sadly, consumers are missing out. Science is coming out with more information about beef’s positive impact on health.
According to R. Wolfe in an article published in the AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION (2006), increasing one’s daily high-quality protein intake may increase and improve muscle strength and metabolism. Evidence suggests that “Muscle metabolism may also play a role in the prevention of many chronic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes and osteoporosis.” Eating at least 15 grams of high-quality protein, like lean beef, can help maintain muscle mass and provide strength.
Moreover, in another research study, “Aging Does Not impair the Anabolic Response to a Protein-Rich Meal,” (AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION, 2007), beef can stimulate muscle growth in older Americans, muscle that will help them to avoid fractures and improve their strength as they age, by as much as 50%.
For those concerned about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and increasing the benefits of exercise, again, beef has been found to improve exercise’s effectiveness. A study, released in the JOURNAL OF NUTRITION, suggests that a “protein rich diet with reduced carbohydrates, combined with exercise, improved body composition during weight loss, reduced triglyceride levels and mainted higher HDL cholesterol levels (the good kind). Part of the reason for this is that beef contains high levels of the amino acid leucine, which works with insulin to promote muscle growth.
For the obese, beef my actually help to boost metabolism, speeding up weight loss. As suggested in clinical trials, as released in the AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION (2005), people on higher-protein diets (34% protein/46% carbohydrates/20% fat) lost MORE fat MASS and achieved nutritional benefits either equal to or greater than those on higher-carbohydrate diets (17% protein/64% carbohydrate/20%fat). The trials also concluded that a higher-protein diet is associated with a greater reduction in triglyceride concentrations and improved hemoglobin and vitamin B12 levels. A 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides 25.4 grams of protein, which equals 51% of the RDA.
Also, higher protein diets are associated with LESS belly fat! A cross-sectional study revealed that those individuals who had the highest proportion of caloric intake from protein also had the LOWEST waist to hip ratio. The study was published in the 2005 JOURNAL OF NUTRITION.
There is more good news about beef nutrition, too. I will continue the discussion of WHAT SCIENCE SAYS ABOUT BEEF NUTRITION in my next blog.
The good news is out: Beef is BACK. Beef is Healthy. Beef is good for everyone, especially for those with weight issues or nutritional issues…..
