1. Lower in TOTAL FAT
Grassfed beef is lower in TOTAL FAT than grainfed beef.
Grass is a cows natural diet, so they are able to process it better. Grain is fed to cattle to make them quickly gain weight.
Pasture-raised cattle are not given artificial hormones. Most grainfed cattle are given hormones to make them grow faster, forcing them to put on weight quickly, which results in a higher fat content.
The overall total fat content of pasture-raised cattle is usually about 25% lower than grainfed cattle.
Since grassfed meat is lean, it is also lower in calories. Protein and carbohydrates each have 4 calories per gram, whereas fat has 9 calories per gram, the higher the fat content, the higher the total number of calories.
2. Higher in beta-carotene
According to Descalzo et al. (2005), meat from pasture-fed steers contains significantly higher amounts of beta-carotene in their muscle tissues as compared to grain-fed animals. Concentrations were 0.45 ėg/g and 0.06 ėg/g for beef from pasture and grain-fed cattle respectively, demonstrating a 7 fold increase in beta-carotene levels for grass-fed beef over their grain-fed contemporaries. Similar data has been reported previously, presumably due to the high beta-carotene content of fresh grasses as compared to cereal grains.
Beta-carotenes are precursors of retinol (Vitamin A), a critical fat-soluble vitamin that is important for normal vision, bone growth, reproduction, and cell division. The overall integrity of skin and mucous membranes is maintained by vitamin A, creating a barrier to bacterial and viral infection. In addition, vitamin A is involved in the regulation of immune function by supporting the production and function of white blood cells.
3. Higher in vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
The meat from the grassfed cattle is four times higher in vitamin E than meat from feedlot cattle and, almost twice as high as meat from feedlot cattle that have been given vitamin E supplements.*
In humans, vitamin E is linked with a lower risk of heart disease and cancer. This potent antioxidant may also have anti-aging properties. Most Americans are deficient in vitamin E.
4. Higher in the B-vitamins thiamin and riboflavin
Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, helps to maintain your energy supplies, coordinates the activity of your nerves and muscles and supports proper heart function. Riboflavin, Vitamin B2, helps protect cells from oxygen damage, supports cellular energy production and helps to maintain your supply of other B vitamins.*
5. Higher in the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium
Calcium, magnesium and potassium are all very important minerals in your body that work together in many ways. Calcium helps you to maintain healthy, strong bones, supports the proper functioning of nerves and muscles and helps your blood to clot. Magnesium helps to relax your nerves and muscles, builds and strengthens your bones and keeps your blood circulating smoothly. Potassium helps to maintain the proper electrolyte and acid-base balance in your body and helps lower your risk for high blood pressure.*
6-10 Addressing FATS
We've been brainwashed into thinking that all fats are bad for us, but the truth is that fats are a necessary component of a healthy diet. The human body needs an array of fats in the right amounts to function and remain disease-free. Grassfed beef is one way to add those healthy fats to a balanced diet.
Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids are polyunsaturated fats that play an important part in growth and metabolism. They can't be synthesized by the human body, so they have to come from our diet. Both reduce inflammation, lower the amount of serum cholesterol and triglycerides, prevent excess clotting and reduce the risk of cancer.
While both Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are important individually, they also work in tandem and the ratio is critical. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a typical Western diet can be excessively heavy on the Omega 3s - up to a 30:1 ratio - when the ideal is closer to 1:1. The proper ratio can reduce the risk of many chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is another potent weapon in the arsenal against chronic disease. CLA can reduce cancer, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and insulin resistance.
Vaccenic Acid is a transfat that occurs naturally in ruminant animals, but unlike its synthetically-produced cousins, is important for good health. A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition showed that vaccenic acid protects against artherosclerosis, a contributing factor in cardiovascular disease.
Saturated Fats (cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins - LDL or "bad" cholesterol) all play a significant role in heart disease and stroke.
The choice is clear - grassfed beef is healthier to eat.
