Pork meat or, as we used to call it, pork is a product familiar from childhood. It is impossible to imagine a family holiday without fragrant kebabs of tender meat. What are the properties of pork, what is its composition, is it useful or harmful to human health?
The benefits and harms of pork - we study the composition of the product
It seems a little strange if you call pig meat diet. However, this statement is not far from the truth. Pork helps to reduce "bad" cholesterol in the blood. She is a "supplier" of natural protein, a "regulator" of the level of iron in the body. In addition, pork has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system.
Pig meat is rich in B vitamins. In addition, it contains vitamin PP, as well as macro- and microelements necessary for humans: zinc, potassium, iron, copper, sodium, magnesium, sulfur.
Pork, as was mentioned, is the “record holder” in protein content: in 100 g of the product - about 20 g of a substance that can safely be called the “building material” for cells.
In pork, there is not much fat, as is commonly believed - 7.1 g per 100 g. If you separate the lard and eat only meat, then this food can be equated to diet.
The benefits of pork for the human body
Experts unanimously argue that within reasonable limits, pig meat is useful. They make a strong case for the product:
1. Pork has little cholesterol, but a lot of protein.
2. The meat is perfectly digested and, if not abused, it is impossible to feel discomfort and heaviness in the stomach.
3. Due to the content of B vitamins, the product has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
4. Pork copes with anemia.
5. Reasonable consumption of pig meat improves the functioning of the male genital organs, positively affects the prostate gland.
6. Pork enhances the immune system.
7. Sulfur, which is part of the product, activates metabolic processes in the body.
Pork for pregnant and lactating women - benefits or harms
With healthy use, pork is certainly good for pregnant and lactating women. It is scientifically proven that future mothers who consumed pork more easily tolerated childbirth, and their babies developed well in the future.
Pork is useful for pregnant women, because it is a source of vitamins, amino acids, and protein. In addition, the correct use of the product (in boiled or baked form) can give a good mood and excellent health.
As for nursing mothers, they can and should eat pork, starting with small portions. During this period, the most valuable is boiled or steamed meat. Pork is useful for women with breastfeeding, and for the baby. She is:
• charges the mother’s body with energy and positive
• contributes to good heart function
• strengthens bones
• normalizes hormonal levels
• prevents the development of anemia in the baby
• relieves dizziness and headache
• helps restore hair and strengthen nails
Excessive infatuation with pig meat can cause constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or colic. In addition, eating poor-quality meat is sure to negatively affect the health of the baby, and the mother herself will feel noticeable discomfort.
In order to avoid possible troubles, you should adhere to some rules:
1. Eat pork when your baby is 3 months old.
2. Get lean meat.
3. Do not be lazy to heat the product well.
4. Steam the pork, boil and bake it.
5. Eat meat in the morning.
6. Start with small meals.
7. Eat pork meat a little more than 1 time per week a little (the recommended portion is 100-150 g).
8. Before preparing the product, thoroughly rinse it and remove the fat.
Pork harm to the body - you may not have known it
Like any other product, with excessive consumption, pork can do more harm than good. Therefore, tasting a fragrant juicy piece, it is worth remembering that everything is good in moderation.
Speaking about the dangers of pork, it is impossible not to mention its high calorie content, the presence of growth hormones in the product, which are used in animal husbandry. These substances, and not the actual meat, cause great harm to the body. Growth hormones are carcinogens. They can disrupt the hormonal balance, cause allergies, impair reproductive function in men and women, and cause cancer.
It is believed that if you drain the first broth, you can get rid of the harmful substances contained in meat. However, this statement is debatable. Most likely, hormones also remain in the product after cooking. Therefore, the only way to prevent them from entering the body is either a complete rejection of pork, or its smallest use.
The harm and negative effect of pork is the high content of histamine in meat - a substance that, according to Wikipedia, is a mediator of an allergic reaction of an immediate type. Histamine provokes gallbladder disease, furunculosis, thrombophlebitis, skin ailments: neurodermatitis, dermatitis, eczema, urticaria.
And the last one. Poor heat-treated pork is a direct route to infection with helminths, whose eggs can settle in the heart, causing heart attacks, in the brain, causing memory loss, in the eyes, causing blindness.
How to cook pork so that it is beneficial, not harmful
In order for the product to please with its appearance and taste, so that it is good for it, it is necessary to seriously approach the issue of preparation. The easiest way to get juicy flavorful meat is to fry it. The dish will turn out the most juicy, if you choose pork with fatty layers.
First, the meat is washed well, wiped with a towel. Then cut into small pieces about 1 cm thick. Pork is beaten (slightly), sprinkled with a mixture of salt, sugar, ground pepper and fried in a hot pan with vegetable oil for 2-3 minutes on each side. Then cover the dishes and the meat is well put out, adding a little water.
Oven-baked pork is an excellent option for a festive table. You can bake meat in foil (pork is placed on a mirror surface) or in the "sleeve". In this case, a ham, neck or shoulder blade is used. The meat is washed, dried, rubbed with salt, pepper and placed in a preheated oven.
Pork in a creamy sauce is a diet dish that will suit everyone. Prepare it from tenderloin (300 g). They wash the meat, cut into pieces, pour water on 2 fingers and stew for 30 minutes. Then add a glass of sour cream and cook for another half an hour. 10 minutes before the end of cooking add onion and salt. Ready pork sprinkled with dill.
How to choose pork - useful tips
1. The meat of a young animal is always lighter.
2. When buying, pay attention to the surface of the product. It should be shiny, dense.
3. Good pork meat - no films.
4. It is best to buy fresh, not frozen pork. When pressing on the meat, no water should form.
5. The fat of pork meat must be clean.
6. The shoulder blade and neck are always darker.
7. Do not be afraid if you notice a slightly bluish tint on the ham. This is a sign of the maturity of the animal.
How to store pork
Pig meat is best stored in the place of the refrigerator, which is located directly next to the freezer. It is not recommended to keep pork in a plastic bag. For storage, paper is suitable, in which you need to wrap the product, place it on a plate, cover with a lid and send to the refrigerator.
In the refrigerator, a pork piece can be stored for no more than 4 days. But the stuffing spoils faster, so it is kept for no more than 2 days. The ham is able to stay fresh for 7 days. Pork packed in cling film retains its properties in the freezer for up to six months.
Pork in itself is undeniably good. It is useful or harmful depending on the quality of the meat. In small quantities, the product may not cause "inconvenience", but the fact that they should not get involved is an axiom.
