Press Release - Beef is a nutritionally action packed meal ingredient

Beef is a nutritionally action packed meal ingredient.

Cattle farmers are urging people who want to look after their health to make sure that fresh beef has a regular place in their shopping basket.

The National Beef Association, whose members own cattle that graze land in every corner of the UK, would like young people struggling to reduce obesity, mothers anxious to combat anaemia, and older people determined to remain healthy during their retirement, to include fresh beef in their regular diet.

“Farmers have explained how beef cattle protect the British landscape and now they want to make sure consumers understand just how good and nutritious beef is to eat,” explained NBA director, Kim Haywood.

“They are pleased the most recent retail surveys show a massive 13 per cent increase in fresh beef purchases compared with the same time last year and hope this means that their message about beef being an essential part of a balanced diet is at last being recognised.”

The NBA describes beef as nutritionally dense because it is packed with proteins and a large range of vitamins and minerals that are essential for everyday well being.

“In trace element terms it is a one-stop food. Its zinc and selenium give an essential boost to the immune system, its B-group vitamins, which are only found in meat, maintain the nervous system and helps memory and concentration, while its vitamin D gives bones added strength,” said Ms Haywood, who is a qualified nutritionist.

“On top of that beef comes second only to fish as the most important source of omega-3 acids that are considered so essential for good heart health.”

“Lean beef provides over 50 per cent of daily iron requirements. This makes it valuable to pregnant mums because it helps to protect against anaemia, maintains energy levels and helps to develop the brain functions of infants.”

“But its greatest contribution to consumer health may come through its high protein levels. These help regenerate bone, muscle and essential organs and are more digestible than proteins contained in beans or wheat.”

“The other essential message is that beef is not a major source of fat. Modern cattle are bred to be lean and farmers are paid more if the stock they produce hits pre-fixed, lean category targets.”

“Modern nutritional analysis shows that this, combined with pre-trimming in butchers’ shops and supermarket packing plants, means fresh beef has low levels of saturated fat,” Ms Haywood added.

For more information contact:

Kim Haywood, NBA director. Tel: 0131 336 1754/07967 698936
 

Editor’s Notes.

Protein
Red meat is a significant source of high-quality protein, providing all the essential amino acids. Just 100g of raw beef contains around 20-25g of protein. The protein in beef is highly digestible - around 94% compared with the digestibility of 78% in beans and 86% in whole wheat.

Iron
Lean beef is one of the richest sources of haem-iron in the diet contributing to 52% of our total intake.   Iron in beef is well absorbed compared to non-haem iron in plant foods. Iron is important for the transport of oxygen, production of energy and is essential for brain development.

Beef is not a major source of fat
The most recent nutritional analyses show that when trimmed of external fat, lean red
Beef is low in saturated and Tran’s fatty acids.

Omega -3 fatty acids

After fish, beef makes the second highest contribution of omega-3s to the diet. It is an important natural source of long-chain omega-3s having levels greater than 30mg in a 150g serving.  Omega-3s are essential to the healthy functioning of the nervous system and important to heart health.

Zinc
Lean beef is a good source of zinc, an essential nutrient for the immune system, growth and wound healing. The zinc in beef and other animal foods is better absorbed than from plant foods because of this the requirement for zinc is 50% higher for individuals who are strict vegetarians.

B-group vitamins
Lean beef is an important source of B-group vitamins including riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6 and in particular vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 cannot be found in plant foods, therefore inadequate intakes of B12 are a problem in strict vegetarians.  Lacking vitamin B12 can adversely affect neurological function including memory and concentration.

Vitamin D
Recent UK analysis has indicated that red meat may be a useful source of vitamin D which is essential to bone health.

Selenium
Beef is an important source of the antioxidant selenium which helps maintain the immune system.