Most cattle in America is sent to feedlots in Nebraska and Kansas mostly. While there, they are fed corn and other grains, fattened up, and then slaughtered. But there is another option to how to raise these cattle in a healthy way – by feeding them grass.
Benefits of Grass Fed Beef
There are many benefits to grass fed beef. The health benefits of grass fed beef include omega-3 fatty acids, which play a crucial role in our bodies. People who eat grass fed beef are less likely to have irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure. They are 50 percent less likely to have a heart attack, too.
What is also cool about them being rich in grass fed beef is that they help with schizophrenia, depression, attention deficit disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease. Grass fed beef is also lean, so it has lower numbers of calories. More specifically, the fat that it has is only 9 calories per gram. Also, omega-3s decrease your risk of cancer. In studies of animals, omega-3s slowed the growth of all kinds of cancers from spreading. It is important to know that the research is still in its early stages.
Grass Contains Omega-3 Acid Alpha- Linolenic
Furthermore, animal studies show that perhaps people with cancer who have high levels of omega-3s in their tissues may respond to chemotherapy than people with low levels. These omega-3s can be found in seafood, nuts like flaxseeds and walnuts, but also in grass fed animals.
The reason that grass fed animals are likely to have more omega-3s than grain fed animals is that omega 3s are in the green leaves of plants. Sixty percent of the fat content of grass is a type of omega-3 acid called alpha-linolenic.
Grass Fed Beef is Superior
Grass fed beef comes from, just what the name suggests, animals who eat grass only. This is different from conventional beef, which comes from animals and cattle that eat grains, like corn. This is the difference between the two kinds.
Grass fed beef is superior because it has lower levels of unhealthy fats and, as we discovered at HealthScapes.org, high levels of omega 3 fatty acids. These animals that eat in pastures were found to have different fat content, and their fatty-acid levels were better than the cows that were kept in feedlots and fed corn.
Increasing Demand
Over the years, the demand for grass fed beef has been increasing, which is good because the chance of finding it in stores is higher now.
In terms of flavor, grass fed beef is beefier, and it can be less tender than grain fed beef. It can be difficult to cook; it just takes a little longer time to cook, but the flavor is worth it.
In terms of price, though, grass fed beef is still more expensive than grain fed beef and it can be found at organic stores.
Environmentally Friendly
Grass fed beef is more environmentally friendly. It uses less fossil fuel than grain fed beef. Grazing animals, when they eat grass, do their own harvesting and fertilizing. The ground has greens all year round, so it is not a forced process like with grain fed beef. Instead, grass fed beef gets rid of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere more effectively. Therefore, it is helping slow down global warming.
Grass fed beef may be more expensive than grain fed beef, but it is healthier in terms of cholesterol and omega-3s, so they are worth the expenses. It is also good for the environment (well, it is far better than grain fed beef), so it is also good for everyone in the long run. It may be more expensive, but it is worth investing in, so give it a shot.
Grass fed beef and other healthy alternatives are passions of Kyle Snyder. He blogs constantly on these subjects.
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