Offal or alias organ meatsare the parts of the animal that are not preferred by most people but are highly nutritious. OffalThe nutritional content of the animal is much higher than the muscle meat we are used to eating.
What is Offal?
Offalare the organs of animals. The organs most commonly consumed are those obtained from cows, lambs, goats, chickens and ducks. Most animals are bred for the muscular tissue we are used to eating as meat and offal part of it is always ignored.
Actually offalis the most nutritious part of the animal. Vitamin B12 ve folat It contains very high amounts of such nutrients and is also an excellent source of iron and protein.
What Are The Types Of Offal?
The most common types of offal are:
Liver
It is the nutritional powerhouse of liver offal. It is a nutritious superfood due to its high content of vitamins A and B12.
Language
Language is more of a muscle. This hard-surfaced organ contains niacin, riboflavin, and zinc It is rich in vitamin B12, along with other micronutrients such as.
Heart
The heart's role is to pump blood around the body. It may not look edible, but it is actually lean and delicious. Vitamin B12 provides significant amounts of niacin, iron, phosphorus, copper, and selenium along with riboflavin.
Kidneys
BOne cow's kidney provides more than five times the amount of vitamin B12 you need each day and almost twice the riboflavin value.
Cow kidney, selenium It also contains 228 percent of the recommended daily value for This trace mineral also provides powerful benefits such as preventing certain types of cancer, reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing immune function.
Brain
The brain is considered a delicacy in many cultures and is a rich omega 3 fatty acids is the source.
Sweetbread
It is made of thymus gland and pancreas. It is not very nutritionally valuable and contains a high amount of fat. However, thanks to its high vitamin C content, it is ideal for strengthening immunity and reducing the risk of cancer.
Nutritional profile of offalvaries depending on the animal's source and organ type. However, most organs are extremely nutritious. In fact, it provides more nutrient-dense nutrients than most muscle meat.
They are particularly rich in B vitamins such as vitamin B12 and folate. Also iron, magnesiumThey also contain minerals such as selenium and zinc, and important fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K.
The second reason to use the offal It is an excellent source of protein. The nutritional content of 100 grams of cooked beef liver is as follows:
Calories: 175
Protein: 27 grams
Vitamin B12: 1,386% of the RDI
Copper: 730% of the RDI
Vitamin A: 522% of the RDI
Riboflavin: 201% of the RDI
Niacin: 87% of the RDI
Vitamin B6: 51% of the RDI
Selenium: 47% of the RDI
Zinc: 35% of the RDI
Iron: 34% of the RDI
What Are the Benefits of Eating Offal?
It is an excellent source of iron
Offal It contains a high percentage of heme iron derived from animal foods, heme iron is better absorbed by the body than non-heme iron from plant foods. Therefore, those who eat offal anemia due to iron deficiency the risk is low.
Keeps you full for a long time
Many studies have shown that a high-protein diet can reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness. It also helps to lose weight by increasing the metabolic rate.
Helps maintain muscle mass
Offalis a high-quality source of protein that is important for building and maintaining muscle mass.
It is a great source of choline
OffalThe world's best food, an essential nutrient for brain, muscle and liver health that many people don't get enough of. kolin are among the sources.
It is cheap
Offal They are not the most consumed part of the animal, so you can usually get them for a cheap price. Eating these parts of the animal also reduces food waste.
High in vitamin A
Vitamin A It is found in high amounts in most offal. As it acts as an antioxidant to fight free radical damage, it provides protection against various diseases in the body associated with oxidative stress and inflammation.
Vitamin A is also an important component in maintaining optimal eye health. When consumed regularly, it lowers the risk of macular degeneration, an age-related disorder.
It also helps maintain skin health.
Good source of B vitamins
OffalAll B vitamins (vitamin B12, niacin, vitamin B6, riboflavin) found in
It is also known to maintain healthy blood pressure levels, lower high cholesterol, lower blood triglycerides, and help form healthy blood vessels.
Due to its high content of B vitamins eat offalhelps keep the brain healthy. These foods reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, increase learning and memory, improve mood, depression or anxiety Helps protect against disorders such as.
Provides coenzyme Q10
Many offalAnother important nutrient found in ta is coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10.
Although it is not considered a vitamin, because it is produced in small quantities by the body, it functions as an antioxidant and is used as a natural method to prevent and treat certain diseases.
Supports a healthy pregnancy
OffalMany of the vitamins found in are essential to promoting a healthy pregnancy.
for example Vitamin B6It reduces the pain responses to menstrual cramps and also helps relieve some of the nausea that is often seen in the "morning sickness" phase of pregnancy.
Folate is also very important for fetal growth and development, which is why it is found in almost all prenatal supplements.
When folate levels are low during pregnancy, neural tube defects can develop, especially spina bifida, anencephaly, and heart complications.
However most type of offalRemember that vitamin A is very high in vitamin A, and this vitamin can cause birth defects if consumed too much. Therefore, especially if you are using other vitamin A supplements, eat offal Be careful about it.
Does offal raise cholesterol?
Offalis rich in cholesterol regardless of the animal source.
For example; 100 grams of bovine brain contains 1,033% of the RDI for cholesterol, while kidney and liver have 239 and 127%, respectively. These are high values.
Cholesterol is produced by the liver, and the liver adjusts its production according to the amount the body takes from food.
When you eat foods rich in cholesterol, the liver responds by producing less. Therefore, foods high in cholesterol only have a small effect on total blood cholesterol levels.
It has been found that the amount of cholesterol derived from food has a small effect on those at risk of heart disease.
goodis a common type of arthritis. It is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood, causing the joints to become swollen and tender.
Purines from foods create uric acid in the body. Offal They are particularly high in purines, so those with gout should eat these foods carefully and even stay away.
Pregnant women should consume with caution
OffalThey are rich sources of vitamin A, especially the liver. During pregnancy, vitamin A plays an important role in fetal growth and development.
But the National Institutes of Health recommends an upper intake level of 10.000 IU of vitamin A per day, as excessive intakes are associated with severe birth defects and abnormalities.
These types of birth defects include heart, spinal cord and neural tube defects, eye, ear and nose abnormalities, and defects in the digestive system and kidneys.
Therefore, during pregnancy, especially if you are taking supplements containing vitamin A consumption of offal you must limit.
Mad Cow Disease
Mad cow disease known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) affects the brain and spinal cord of cattle.
The disease can spread to humans through proteins called prions found in contaminated brains and spinal cords.
Its new version causes a rare brain disease called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).
Fortunately, there has been a decrease in mad cow disease cases as a nutritional ban was introduced in 1996. In most countries, the risk of developing vCJD from infected cattle is very low. However, if you are worried, you may not eat the brains and spinal cords of the cattle.
As a result;
OffalThey are rich sources of many vitamins and minerals that are difficult to obtain from other foods. In addition to providing you with additional nutrients, it will also provide convenience to your wallet. Not to mention the environmental benefits ...
