Why Is Grass-Fed Beef Healthier Than Grain-Fed Beef?
Few people understand that the way a cow is fed will affect the quality of its beef. Most cows are fed with grain-based diets. This isn't what they would eat in the wild, and it's provided only because it's cheaper and easier than letting cows graze at will. Grain also makes cows put on weight very fast so they can be slaughtered faster.
100% grass-fed cows are allowed to graze, eating grass just as their ancestors did for hundreds of thousands of years. That's a far more humane method of raising cattle, and it has a major impact on the composition of their beef.
Here are just a few reasons why grass-fed beef is significantly healthier for humans to eat than grain-fed beef.
Grass-Fed Beef Has Fewer Calories
Cows put on weight faster when they are fed grain instead of grass. That's handy for farmers, but it also has an effect on the fat content; in general, grass-fed beef contains less total fat than grain-fed beef. Bite for bite, your grass-fed beef will contain fewer calories. You can either eat more without worrying about your waist measurement or eat the same amount of grass-fed as you'd usually eat of grain-fed without cheating on your diet.
Grass-Fed Beef Contains Healthier Fats
There's a common misconception that all types of fat are bad, but this isn't the case. If you're eating grass-fed beef, you're in luck – it contains more good fat and less bad fat than grain-fed beef. Most significantly, grass-fed beef contains up to 5 times more omega-3. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of everything from heart disease to cancer to arthritis, all while aiding cognitive performance. Grass-fed beef also contains around twice as much conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as grain-fed beef, which helps fight cancer, asthma, and osteoporosis – it's even beneficial for lowering body fat – that's another reason why grass-fed beef is better when you're watching your weight.
Grass-Fed Beef Offers More Vitamins
Finally, several studies have suggested that grass-based beef contains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Grass-fed beef seems to elevate precursors for Vitamin A and E, plus glutathione (GT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), both powerful cancer-fighting antioxidants. Comparisons have also shown grass-fed beef to be higher in beta-carotene, which we need for healthy skin, eyes, and to protect the immune system. With every bite, you'll provide your body with vital nutrients that were taken in naturally by the cow itself.
For more information on where to find grass-fed beef, contact a locally sourced steakhouse.
