4 Top Benefits of Eating Heart
By Paul Nganga
4 years ago
Many people do not consider the heart as a staple diet. The American eating culture is accustomed to consuming muscle meats. Also, people consider organ portions of meat as insignificant. But what many are not aware of is that organ meats, especially the heart, are superfoods that are densely packed with nutrients to nourish the body.
In the animal kingdom, the predators are already ahead of the game. When they make a kill, they target the organ meats first due to their high nutritional value. For example, the lion is known to consume the internal organs such as the liver first before eating the other parts of the prey. Other animals like wolves too understand this concept. It is no doubt that the nutritional value of organ meats is unmatched.
The nutrients found in the organ meats of animals support the same organs in the human body. This means if you consume an animal’s heart, the nutrients you will derive from the heart meat will equally support your heart system’s functions. Before we delve into the benefits of eating the heart, let’s find out the nutrients contained in this carnivore diet.
Some of the vital nutrients contained in the heart include the following:
A single serving of heart meat will fill your body with all these valuable nutrients and minerals. Below are the benefits you can get from consuming heart meat.
Nutrients such as coenzyme Q10, B-complex vitamins, and iron are energy boosters. For instance, iron supplies oxygen to the body to enable it to function well. Iron supports the production of hemoglobin that transports oxygen to all the cells of the body. This oxygen supplied to the cells undergoes a chemical process that leads to the production of energy.
The Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) obtained from eating heart can increase energy levels, minimize fatigue and enhance the body’s stamina. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the enzyme responsible for activating the mitochondria (the body’s powerhouse) and produce a sufficient energy supply. ATP enables the body to utilize food more effectively to produce adequate energy and support bodily functions.
So, when you feel tired and worn-out, it could be a signal that your body lacks enough nutrients, which may impair energy production. Eating heart meat can help to increase the levels of these nutrients in your body. In the process, you will feel more active and energetic.
Heart meat is a rich source of protein. And proteins are essential nutrients that play a crucial role in the growth and repair of body tissues. Since this carnivore diet has low levels of saturated fats and high protein levels, it can support muscle building. A 4-ounce serving alone contains 20grams of protein. This means that you can obtain enough proteins from the heart alone without the need for supplements to increase muscle mass in your body.
Amino acids present in heart meat are crucial nutrients that support the growth of muscles. This was evident in a randomized, double-blind study conducted to establish the effectiveness of consuming amino acids in a resistance training program. From the results, the participants whose diet incorporated the amino acid supplements gained substantial lean mass, reduced levels of body fat, and increased muscle strength than the group that followed a standard diet.
Amino acids work by activating vital enzymes for the production of protein after performing a physical exercise. They are known to have an anabolic effect, which entails supporting the muscles’ buildup in the human body. Muscles thrive when there is a sufficient amount of amino acids in your body. The heart is rich in amino acids, and the amount of elastin and collagen found in heart meat is twice as much as that found in steak meats. The elastin and collagen help to promote the strength of connective tissues that enhance muscle strength.
Therefore, eating heart will help you obtain sufficient amounts of protein and amino acids from your diet, which will help to build and preserve the muscle mass in your body.
Heart meat is a rich source of Coenzyme Q10, B vitamins, and folic acid that promotes a healthy heart. CoQ10 has the power to improve the health of arteries and other blood vessels, decrease blood pressure and prevent the risk of heart failure.
Researchers have proven the importance of nutrients such as B vitamins and folate in cardiovascular health. A study was conducted in 2011 to investigate the association between low blood pressure and folic acid intake and vitamin B12. The findings revealed that higher homocysteine levels (a category of amino acid) could cause high blood pressure and heart disease. But folate, vitamin B6, and B12 help to regulate the level of this amino acid. Including these nutrients in your diet will help to moderate the concentration of homocysteine in the blood. This will prevent your body from experiencing common heart problems.
The B vitamins, particularly Niacin, help maintain the required level of cholesterol in the body by increasing the good cholesterol levels, which helps to get rid of the bad cholesterol from the blood. The B-complex vitamins also help in the formation of red blood cells and other blood vessels. Researchers correlate increased consumption of B vitamins with decreased cases of peripheral artery disease. And you can find all these nutrients from heart meat.
Everyone dreams of having a healthy immune system to keep off diseases and illnesses. You do not need to develop a rigorous diet plan that incorporates numerous meals to achieve this goal. A carnivore diet in the form of heart meat is enough to provide all the necessary nutrients that your immune system needs to stay healthy.
Nutrients that are known to boost the immune cells’ growth consist of zinc, iron, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, selenium, and protein (mostly amino acid). Every phase of the immune system’s response depends on the availability of nutrients in the body. If your immune system has to respond effectively, there must be the presence of these essential macronutrients. The microbes that reside in the intestines play a critical role in the functioning of the immune system. And it is the diet we consume that determines the type of microbes present in our intestines.
A carnivore diet rich in nutrients such as zinc, iron, selenium, and proteins that support good microbes can help boost the immune system. These micronutrients aid in producing antibodies, supporting the growth of immune cells, and acting as antioxidants to shield healthy cells. A deficiency in these nutrients can impair the immune system’s response. But you can easily obtain these nutrients by eating heart meat.
If you have never considered heat meat as an essential food, it’s time to do so. This carnivore diet is richly packed with dense nutrients that have numerous health benefits. From boosting your energy levels, building your body’s muscle mass, promoting your cardiovascular health to improving your immunity, heart meat can benefit your body in many ways. And what’s more, this organ meat is less costly compared to your usual steak meats. Forget about the illusion surrounding organ meats’ texture and taste and go directly for those nutrients that your body so badly needs.
Paul is a nutrition freelance writer contributing to carnivore dieting topics, trends, and recipes. He expresses his prowess in creating insightful and educational pieces. His content is a product of deep research, wide reading, and clear understanding. When not on his desk, he spends his time hiking and camping with his wife, son, and dog.