Lamb - composition, benefits, harm and nutritional value

Lamb is tasty, nutritious and healthy meat. Its characteristic feature is a specific smell. The meat of young lambs has the highest nutritional value and the best gastronomic qualities. In cooking, especially in eastern countries, lamb is especially widely used. But do we know everything about this product? What are its benefits for the human body, can it be eaten on a diet and included in sports nutrition?

In the article, we will deal with the issues of the chemical composition and calorie content of meat, consider the benefits and harms of lamb for the human body.

Calorie content and nutritional value of lamb

The caloric value of lamb may at first be scary, but the percentage of fat in this meat is lower than in pork, and the amount of protein is the same. Moreover, cholesterol is lower than in beef and pork.

However, the calorie content of the raw product is rather big - 202.9 kcal. The energy value of lamb is slightly less - 191 kcal.

The nutritional value of fresh lamb is as follows:

• proteins - 15.6 g;
• fats - 16.3 g;
• carbohydrates - 0 g.

Worth knowing! The calorie content of a product directly depends on the age of the animal: the older the sheep, the greater the energy value of its meat.

They try to use young meat for food, which has not yet had time to accumulate fat. That is why lamb, that is, the meat of young lambs, can be safely consumed during the diet.

Let's take a closer look at the calorie content of the product after various types of heat treatment, as well as with the main indicators of nutritional value (BJU). The data in the table are indicated for 100 g.

So, lamb is a rather high-calorie meat regardless of the cooking method. However, there are practically no carbohydrates in the product after cooking.

A fairly popular part of lamb is the loin, the back of the carcass, which contains not only meat, but also ribs, the so-called square. This part is considered the most delicate and juicy, therefore the most delicious dishes are prepared from it.

Undoubtedly, many are interested in the calorie content of the loin and its nutritional value per 100 g:

• calorie content - 255 kcal;
• proteins - 15.9 g;
• fats - 21.5 g;
• carbohydrates - 0 g;
• dietary fiber - 0 g;
• water - 61.7 g.

Carbohydrates in the loin, as in other parts of lamb, are completely absent. Therefore, during the period of the diet, it is not forbidden to include such meat in the diet of losing weight. However, it is best to use lean (lean) ram during weight loss.

The calorie content of such a product is 156 kcal, and the food composition is just perfect:

• proteins - 21.70 g;
• fats - 7.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 0 g.

These figures indicate that lamb can be used as a dietary meat.

In addition to the balanced composition of BZHU, mutton contains many vitamins and macro- and microelements necessary for the body.

© Andrey Starostin - stock.adobe.com

Chemical composition of meat

The chemical composition of meat is varied. Lamb contains B vitamins, which have a beneficial effect on metabolism. Also, animal meat contains vitamins K, D and E, which stimulate the circulatory system, strengthen bones and increase immunity.

Lamb is recommended to eat for the prevention of rickets and autoimmune diseases.

The mineral composition of meat is rich and varied: magnesium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium and iron are all found in lamb. The presence of iron increases hemoglobin, and in combination with B vitamins, the substance is well absorbed. Potassium improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

The table below shows all vitamins, as well as micro and macro elements contained in meat. All data are based on 100 g.

Sheep meat is also rich in amino acids, and they contribute to the formation of red blood cells and the synthesis of hemoglobin. In addition, they improve metabolic processes in muscle tissue, protect the human body from stress and viral diseases. The table below lists the amino acids in 100 g of lamb.

Lamb contains almost all the amino acids that the body needs to build new cells.

The benefits of lamb for the human body

The benefits of lamb are primarily due to the large amount of protein. Lamb also contains less fat than pork, so boiled meat is often included in various diets. Due to its high fluoride content, meat is recommended for everyone, as this element strengthens teeth and bones.

It is useful to include lamb in the diet for people with diabetes. The fact is that this product contains a lot of lecithin, and it regulates the production of insulin in the body and helps prevent disease by stimulating the work of the pancreas.

A distinctive feature of lamb is its low cholesterol level compared to pork. At the same time, eating lamb can even reduce the level of harmful cholesterol compounds in the body.

This product is also useful for the heart and blood vessels, as it contains potassium, sodium and magnesium. Lamb also boasts the content of iodine, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.

Special attention should be paid to the vitamin composition of lamb. This product contains a sufficient amount of B vitamins, which not only strengthen the immune and cardiovascular systems, but also improve the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS).

Lamb is recommended for people with anemia, as meat contains iron. Although there is not as much of this substance as in beef, it is enough to normalize optimal iron levels. People with low acidity gastritis are not always allowed to eat meat, but lamb broths are allowed.

Sheep fat tail

A mutton fat tail is a bulky fatty deposit that forms in the tail. This fat contains even more nutrients and elements than animal meat, and at the same time there are absolutely no toxins. Many dishes are prepared from the fat tail - pilaf, barbecue, manti. This product is widely used in folk medicine. They are treated for various pulmonary diseases, for example, bronchitis, tracheitis and others. The fat tail is useful for men, as it increases potency. For women, this product is no less useful, it is used for cosmetic purposes, adding to creams and ointments.

The calorie content of a mutton fat tail is quite high and amounts to 900 kcal per 100 g. Therefore, people who want to lose weight should be careful when using the product.

The benefits of lamb for men and women

How can lamb be useful for men and women? Let's look at the issue in more detail. For example, lamb helps men:

• increase stress resistance;
• normalize sleep;
• improve the digestibility of protein foods (this item is especially relevant for athletes);
• increase potency and testosterone production.

In order for lamb to have a beneficial effect on a man's body, he must eat meat at least twice a week.

For women, the product is useful no less:

• improves the condition of the skin, hair and teeth (fluoride contributes to this);
• meat speeds up metabolism, and this leads to weight loss;
• on critical days, eating lamb is especially beneficial, as this product increases iron levels, which will relieve dizziness.

Lamb, although fatty meat, is healthy. Due to its harmonious composition, the product has a positive effect on many processes and systems in the human body and is approved for dietary nutrition.

© spanish_ikebana - stock.adobe.com

Lamb in diet and sports nutrition

Athletes who follow special diets are not prohibited from eating lamb. You should choose lean parts of the carcass, for example, the back. In addition, it is important to observe the principles of proper nutrition and choose the most acceptable methods of heat treatment of meat.

During the drying period, it is important to consider how the product is prepared. Even the most dietary meat, fried in a large amount of oil, will not achieve good results in weight loss. Therefore, it is better to eat meat boiled or baked. Such a product contains the least amount of calories, and nutrients are preserved. Thus, you can get the required dose of essential nutrients, and not gain extra pounds. It is necessary to take into account the amount eaten. If you eat a lot of lamb, for example, at night, then extra pounds definitely cannot be avoided.

In sports, meat is an essential source of protein, including essential amino acids, which are essential for building muscle tissue. Therefore, the choice of meat for athletes is an extremely responsible and important matter.

To understand the benefits of lamb for athletes, it is important to understand one important process. The fact is that the more protein is consumed, the higher the need for vitamin B6, since it is he who supports protein synthesis. And vitamin B12 provides oxygen to the muscles and tones the body. Considering these facts, lamb is great for all athletes, since the content of B vitamins in it is quite high.

Advice! For dietary nutrition and athletes, lamb of the first category is suitable, since they have not yet accumulated too much fat, but they already have a sufficient amount of nutrients.

But each product has its own drawbacks that should be considered. Lamb is no exception.

© lily_rocha - stock.adobe.com

Harm to health

Excessive consumption of fatty meat can lead to obesity or atherosclerosis. In addition, it must be borne in mind that eating meat is contraindicated in such cases:

1. Due to its high lipid content, the product is recommended to be eaten in moderate doses for people with heart disease.
2. People who have hung acidity should also give up lamb, however, as well as people with stomach ulcers, such a fatty product should be limited or completely eliminated.
3. In case of problems with the gastrointestinal tract, lamb is introduced into the diet only with the permission of the doctor.
4. Lamb should not be consumed by people with gout or arthritis.

It is also important where the lamb grew and what it ate, because if the animal is raised in ecologically unfavorable conditions, then there will not be much benefit from its meat.

Before eating lamb, you need to pay attention to the list of contraindications or consult a specialist.

Outcome

Lamb has beneficial properties and is suitable for dietary nutrition if properly prepared. For athletes, especially men, such meat can completely replace pork. But do not forget that a healthy diet should be varied and balanced.

Watch the video: Egg Nutritional Values. Benefits Of Consuming Eggs. SumanTV Life (May 2025).