Scientists are continually discovering that eating grass-fed lamb and beef comes with many health benefits that may not be as prolific in animals fed on grain-based diets.
The amount of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) present in grass-fed animals has recently been in the spotlight.
According to Western Australia’s Department of Agriculture, CLA is a beneficial fatty acid present in the meat and milk products of ruminant animals.
It is thought that CLA is able to aid health problems such as cancer and diabetes, according to a study published in the Nutrition and Metabolism journal.
Although CLA is present in most meat sourced from ruminant animals, grass-fed meat has been found to contain an amount three to five times higher than those fed on alternate diets, according to the Pasture-Fed Livestock Association of the United Kingdom.
The Department of Agriculture also states that lamb is the most potent source of CLA. Thus, eating grass-fed lamb may provide the best source of CLA in order to reap its health benefits.
In addition to these advantages, a study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found the acid can assist weight loss in humans.
However, according to studies published in the Journal of Lipid Research and Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, CLA given to rats and mice for weight loss purposes could also result in excess fat around their livers.
Whether a similar effect may occur on humans is unconfirmed at present.
If you’d like to encourage a healthy lifestyle for your family, it may pay to try and boost the level of CLA in your diet by eating delicious grass-fed lamb or beef.
However, like all foods and supplements, it should be consumed sensibly in order to get the best results.
