Are There Any Health Benefits in Eating Burgers?
We often hear about the nutritional benefits of consuming white meat, such as chicken, turkey, and fish. Red meat, on the other hand, tends to get a bad reputation. This is especially true for hamburgers. High in fat and calories, burgers are commonly viewed as unhealthy. But are they as bad as many make them out to be? You may be surprised at some of the health benefits burgers offer.
Excellent Source of Protein
Protein is an essential component of a healthy diet. In fact, every cell in the body contains protein. Your body uses protein to build and repair muscle and body tissue such as skin, hair, and nails. Protein is necessary to produce enzymes and hormones. It also helps strengthen the immune system and serves as an energy source. Between an estimated 10 and 35 percent of your daily calories should come from protein. Men should consume about 56 grams of protein a day while women should consume about 46 grams. A large single patty burger contains about 26 grams of protein.
Rich in Iron
Iron plays an important role in the production of hemoglobin, a substance found in red blood cells that transports oxygen to all parts of the body. Iron also helps improve muscle health, increases brain function, aids in the treatment of anemia, and boosts immunity, among other health benefits. Red meat is a key source of iron and the iron in red meat is more easily absorbed by the body than iron found in other foods such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, nuts, and others.
High in CLA
Conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, is a healthy fatty acid primarily found in beef as well as lamb and dairy products. This nutrient has been linked to several health benefits including helping with weight loss, fighting inflammatory diseases, and battling cancer.
Packed with Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that your body needs to function properly. Some of the key vitamins found in burgers include B-12 (essential for the production of new red blood cells), B-6 (supports iron and healthy red blood cells), vitamin E (dissolves fat and prevents heart disease), and vitamin K (helps blood clot and aids in bone health).
Hamburgers are rich source of minerals, especially zinc. Zinc plays an important role in boosting the immune system, aiding in wound healing, and supporting metabolism. Additional minerals include calcium, potassium, magnesium, copper, phosphorous, and selenium.
Taking into account all the nutritional value that burgers offers, there’s no need to feel guilty about taking a trip to your favorite burger restaurant!