The pork industry has been advertising their product as “the other white meat” for a number of years in an effort to compete with chicken as a healthy alternative to red meat like beef. While rising beef prices and lingering health concerns about the consumption of red meat still keep some people away, pork actually does represent a good alternative that offers a number of healthy benefits. Here are seven of the top healthy benefits of including pork in your diet.
#1 Fat
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While fat has certainly gotten a bad rap with its link to heart disease, there is no question that a certain amount of fat in your diet is essential. Pork certainly contains fat, but it generally does not have as much as red meat, making it a good way to get the fat in your diet that you need without overdoing it.
#2 Protein
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Like fat, protein is another absolute essential in the human diet. Meat products are known for their high protein content, and pork provides plenty of protein without as much fat as red meat. Protein is especially important for people looking to increase their muscle mass.
#3 Healthier choices
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There has been concern voiced by some experts about the chemicals that are used to prepare and preserve meats like pork. Both nitrates and nitrites may be linked with cancer, but the good news is that there are now pork products available that do not contain any nitrates or nitrites.
#4 Vitamins
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Pork packs a whole host of vitamins, and it is particularly rich in B vitamins. B vitamins are recognized for the benefits they offer the brain, and may help ward off issues like depression and anxiety. B vitamins are one of the key concerns for many vegetarians since meat is such and important source, prompting them to take supplements.
#5 Minerals
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In addition to vitamins, pork also provides a number of beneficial minerals which include both zinc, phosphorus and selenium. The combination of these three minerals help promote the growth of new cells in the body, boost the immune system, strengthen teeth and bones, and also help protect the walls of blood vessels.
#6 Carbohydrates
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As ideas change with regard to what’s healthy, carbohydrates are coming under closer scrutiny by many medical researchers and health professionals. A reduction in carbohydrate intake is often recommended for people who are trying to lose weight or have diabetes.
#7 Keep hunger at bay
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Protein is likely to stick with you a lot longer than many other foods. Although there’s no doubt that fruits and vegetables are some of the healthiest things you can eat, they just don’t keep you feeling full for very long. With its high protein content, eating pork will keep you feeling full longer and may help you avoid unhealthy snacks like those found in vending machines in the workplace.
