Pork is meat from domestic pigs. It’s eaten in various parts of the world, though some religions prohibit it.
Like all other meat, pork has many health benefits and makes a perfect diet when eaten in moderation.
Some people think that pork is white meat, but technically, it’s red meat with small quantities of myoglobin. That is the protein responsible for the red color of meat.
Pork can be eaten fresh or in other products such as sausages and cured meat. Regardless of how you eat pork, you need to know its health benefits, and that’s the focus of this article.
We will highlight some reasons why you should include pork in your diet, at least once in a while.
Contents
Is Pork Good For Your Health?
Yes. Pork is highly nutritious meat you can rely on to get vital vitamins and minerals that your body needs. It’s also a good source of protein, containing about 29 grams per 100 grams.
Pork meat is fatty, mainly consisting of monounsaturated fat. It has less percentage of saturated and polyunsaturated.
However, it’s important to note that pork has no carbohydrates, just like all other meat types.
100 grams of boneless pork chop has the following macronutrients and micronutrients profile:
| Nutrient | Amount (Grams / % RDA) |
| Calories | 169 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | – |
| – Fiber | – |
| – Sugar | – |
| Fat | 5.0 g |
| – Saturated Fat | 1.8 g |
| – Monounsaturated Fat | 2.4 g |
| – Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.7 g |
| – Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 19.0 mg |
| – Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 583 mg |
| Protein | 29.0 g |
3 Benefits Of Pork For Skin
People eat port for its health benefits. Apart from its mouthwatering taste and aroma, the meat is packed with vital nutrients needed by our bodies.
There are three main health benefits of including pork in your diet, which include the following:
- A good source of collagen
- Lard as a facial cream
- Having healthy fat to reduce oxidation
There are other health benefits of pork, which we will discuss after highlighting the first three main ones. So, how does pork contribute to your health?
As A Good Source Of Collagen
Pork has a high concentration of collagen. Collagen is a protein compound made up of three amino acids: hydroxyproline, proline, and glycine.
Each of these components has different functions in the human body. You can find them in other meat types, but pork is the best way to eat collagen.
Collagen is responsible for the tissue structure, toughness, rigidity, and texture. Without it in the body, wrinkles will start appearing on the skin.
In severe cases, tendons may stiffen, muscles become weaker, and joint pains may set in.
Collagen is essential in the human body. Taking at least 10 grams per day may help in enhancing skin elasticity and hydration.
Eating pork will increase the concentration in your body, which can help you reduce the risk of coronary artery diseases. It’s a proven way of keeping your heart healthy.
Taking the recommended amount of collagen (10-20 grams daily) can also help you in the following ways:
- Improve skin tone
- Reduce hair loss
- Improve sleep
- Promote bone health
- Balances your sexual and health hormones
- Controls weight
- Enhances body immunity
Lard As A Facial Cream
Lard is a very effective DIY skincare product available to everyone across the globe. If you live a chemical-free life, pork lard is the best way to go.
You might haven’t heard it before, but the truth is that you may not find any other natural skincare product better than lard.
Lard is a perfect skincare product for your skin because it’s nearly similar to the oil in our skins. Structurally, lard consists of saturated and monounsaturated fats. Its pH is the same as that of human skin.
Lard is rich in vitamin D. Rubbing it on your skin means you will directly absorb all that vital vitamin that prevents dark spots and lines.
Lard is effective as a remedy for acne. It also promotes collagen production and reduces inflammation caused by psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Lard is also packed with omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A for the healthy sparkling skin that we all want. This pork fat has been proven to be effective in:
- Reducing wrinkles and fine lines
- Improving skin tone and making the skin firm
- Reducing the skin redness caused by rosacea
- Improving skin texture by smoothing out any uneven surfaces
- Treating acne and reducing pore.
The recommended lard is one extracted from pork that has been exposed to sunlight long enough. Pigs need to absorb the vitamin D from the sun and store it in their skin.
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Having Healthy Fat To Reduce Oxidation
Pork fats are rich in Oleic Acid, which is an Omega-9 fatty acid or monounsaturated fatty acid.
This compound reduces the oxidative damage in the cell membrane resulting from free radicals. Oleic Acid is also beneficial in many other ways, including the following:
- Reduces blood pressure
- Lowers cholesterol
- Improves immunity
- Enhances skin repair
- Improves mood and mental health
- Prevents type 2 diabetes
- Promotes burning of fat
- Helps in preventing ulcerative colitis
- Fights some types of cancer
- Improves joints and bone health
6 Other Health Benefits of Eating Pork
Apart from the three benefits of pork mentioned, this type of meat still has other uses in our bodies. These include:
- A source of protein
- Doesn’t raise blood sugar levels
- Rich in essential vitamins: b6 and b12
- Low on carbohydrates is
- a better chance for you to lose
- Diet-friendly
- Improved exercise performance: muscle maintenance
Let’s briefly discuss each of the listed items.
A Source Of Protein
Port is an excellent source of lean protein. It has an adequate concentration of all vital amino acids that our body needs. A 100 grams of pork chop has the following constituents:
- Histidine: 5751 mg
- Isoleucine: 6189 mg
- Leucine: 10387 mg
- Methionine: 3469 mg
- Phenylalanine: 5122 mg
- Threonine: 5171 mg
- Tryptophan: 1212 mg
- Valine: 6574 mg
- Lysine: 11482 mg
Doesn’t Raise Blood Sugar Levels
Diets rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) help in reducing blood sugar levels. That makes pork the best protein diet for diabetic people.
Using the recommended amounts of pork meat, you can reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
Rich In Essential Vitamins: B6 And B12
Port is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including B12 and B6. Vitamin B12 is vital for blood formation and brain functions.
Individuals without enough of it in the body may become anemic and suffer from adverse neuron damage. Vitamin B6, on the other hand, helps in the formation of red blood cells.
Low On Carbohydrates Is a Better Chance for You to Lose Weight
If you are struggling with your weight, then pork may be the best to include in your diet. It’s carbohydrate-free, meaning you have nothing to add to your body mass.
You may need to avoid preparing it with breading, barbecue sauce, or other sugar or starch.
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- Old-fashioned chicharrones
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- No carbs or trans fat
Diet-Friendly
Pork can be included in many dishes. When consumed in the appropriate quantities, you find almost all vital nutrients for your body.
It may be considered as a complete diet if served with carbohydrate supplements. Your body can extract minerals, vitamins, and all essential amino acids from pork.
Improved Exercise Performance: Muscle Maintenance
High-quality protein from pork is recommended for the creation of new muscles. Our body muscles degenerate with age, hence the need to eat a healthy diet that enhances regeneration.
One of the amino acids you find in pork is beta-alanine, an essential component of carnosine. Carnosine is vital for muscle functions.
A high level of this compound in the body will reduce fatigue and enhance muscle performance.
Potential Risks of Pork
Despite the very many health benefits of pork, it’s not 100% healthy meat. You need to moderate it in your diet and be cautious when preparing pork since some risks are associated with the cooking method.
Apart from the possible violation of your religious laws, pork has the following risks:
Sodium-Rich Pork Skin Affects Your Heart
Pork skin can have high levels of sodium. It may not be the best diet for you if you are limiting your sodium intake.
People with heart failure problems should refrain from it because of the possible fluid build-up that causes the heart to work harder than normal.
People with cardiovascular diseases should limit their sodium intake to just 2,000 mg per day, but that may not be the case if you eat pork.
Increase In Cholesterol Levels
Pork can potentially increase cholesterol levels in the body. However, there is a way to minimize the possibility of that occurring.
Eat it responsibly, which means asking for tenderloin, boneless loin roast, and boneless loin chops.
To avoid increasing the cholesterol levels in your body, trim all excess fats and avoid frying pork. Instead, prefer grilling, baking, or broiling it. Also, avoid the processed ones.
Can Contain Parasites
Eating undercooked or contaminated pork meat can cause parasitic diseases such as trichinosis.
It’s caused by a roundworm that can penetrate through the intestines and other body muscles to invade vital body organs.
Symptoms of trichinosis include nausea, abdominal pain, and inflammation of body muscles. The disease is rare but can be fatal if not treated on time.
Another possible disease caused by undercooked pork is yersiniosis due to the ingestion of Yersinia enterocolitica bacteria. It’s a common disease, but it rarely requires medical attention.
Wrapping Up
Pork is meat from domestic pigs, a highly nutritious and delicious meal for every home. Pork has many health benefits, including improving skin health, mental health, muscle regeneration, and many others.
However, you should also be aware of the associated health risks. Eat it responsibly!
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