3 Health Benefits of Consuming Steak

Steak is one of the most popular cuts of meat out there. Not only does it taste great and enable you to cook a versatile range of dishes, but it also offers several health benefits that are unmatched by any other type of meat.

Although it’s important to consume this meat in moderation, incorporating more lean cuts of steak into your diet can increase your protein and nutrient intake without significantly increasing your saturated fat intake. It’s important to choose high-quality cuts of steak, such as Japanese Wagyu A5 steak, to maximise the associated health benefits.

Below, we’ve covered three amazing health benefits you can experience by consuming steak in your diet.

Steak is High in Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Grass-fed or pasture-raised beef are commonly used for cuts of steaks. These forms of beef often contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which are forms of unsaturated fat that can promote better health.

Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with improved cognitive function, better heart health, and lower systemic inflammation. In turn, these polyunsaturated fats can reduce your risk of developing neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease or arthritis.

Omega-3s have also been associated with better pregnancy outcomes. They can support foetal growth and development, particularly in the brain and eyes. Consuming steak during pregnancy can, therefore, reduce the risk of neurodevelopment issues in babies.

If you are currently pregnant and want to add steak into your diet, make sure it is cooked properly with no traces of blood and no pink areas of meat. Make sure to heat the grill adequately and cook your chosen cut of steak for a sufficient amount of time to ensure no raw areas of meat are present at the end.

Steak is a Source of High-Quality Protein

Steak is an excellent source of protein and provides all of the nine essential amino acids the body can’t synthesise by itself, making it a complete protein. Consuming protein supports your body in building and repairing tissues, creating immune cells and enzymes, and maintaining skeletal muscle mass.

Thanks to the high amount of protein in all cuts of steak, consuming it regularly in your diet can make it easier for you to meet the recommended daily protein requirements. Generally, an average adult should aim for 0.6 to 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.

Steak is Abundant in Heme Iron

Iron is an important mineral that your body needs to produce haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that helps to carry oxygen around the body. Red meat is rich in heme iron, a form of iron that the body can absorb and use more easily than non-heme iron, found in plant-based foods.

Consuming enough iron in your diet can promote better overall health and reduce the risk of iron deficiency anaemia, which is associated with fatigue, dizziness, and pale skin.