Printer friendly version Beef, lean organic Beef is available in a wide variety of cuts throughout the year. The different cuts range in texture and tenderness, as well as fat content, making beef a very versatile food. Lean organic beef provides a very good source of protein and vitamin B12 and a good source of selenium, zinc, iron, phosphorus and B vitamins without the concern for pesticide, hormone and antibiotic residues that may be found in non-organic varieties. If possible, look for lean beef from cows that have been grass fed.
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Beef, lean organic
Beef is available in a wide variety of cuts throughout the year. The different
cuts range in texture and tenderness, as well as fat content, making beef a
very versatile food.
Lean organic beef provides a very good source of protein and vitamin B12 and a good source of
selenium, zinc, iron, phosphorus and B vitamins without the concern for pesticide, hormone and
antibiotic residues that may be found in non-organic varieties. If possible, look for lean beef
from cows that have been grass fed.
This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Beef, lean organic provides for each of
the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating
System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Beef, lean
organic can be found in the Food Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth
Nutritional Profile for Beef, lean organic, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found
under the Food Rating System Chart.
• Health Benefits
• Description
• History
• How to Select and Store
• How to Enjoy
• Individual Concerns
• Nutritional Profile • References
Health Benefits
Lately, red meat has been getting a lot of bad press. Studies have linked red meat to heart
disease, atherosclerosis, and even some types of cancer. But while the greasy, charcoal-burned,
bacon cheeseburger served with deep fried French fries is a bad idea, a nice bit of lean beef,
added to stews or stir-fries or your favorite burrito recipe, may actually be healthy for you. First
of all, lean beef is a very good source of protein providing 64.1% of the daily value for protein in
just 4 ounces. But did you know that lean organic beef also contains nutrients that protect your
heart and prevent colon cancer?
Cardiovascular Benefits
In addition to being a very good source of protein, lean, organic beef is a very good source of
vitamin B12, and a good source of vitamin B6. Vitamin B12 along with vitamin B6 are two
vitamins needed by the body to convert the potentially dangerous chemical homocysteine into
other, benign molecules. Since high homocysteine levels are associated with an increased risk of
heart attack and stroke, getting plenty of these B vitamins in your diet is important
(homocysteine is also associated with osteoporosis, and a recent study found that osteoporosis
occurred more frequently among women whose vitamin B12 status was deficient or marginal
compared with those who had normal B12 status.) A four-ounce serving of lean beef provides
48.7% of the daily value for vitamin B12 plus 24.5% of the DV for B6.
Cancer Protection
Diets high in vitamin B12-rich foods, especially if they are low in fat, are also associated with a
reduced risk of colon cancer. And, organic beef is also a good source of the trace minerals
selenium and zinc. Selenium, another nutrient in lean beef that helps reduce the risk of colon
cancer, is needed for the proper function of glutathione peroxidase, an important internally
produced antioxidant that has also been shown to reduce the severity of inflammatory conditions
like asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Selenium is incorporated at the active site of glutathione
peroxidase, which is particularly important for cancer protection. Glutathione peroxidase is used
in the liver to detoxify a wide range of potentially harmful molecules, which might otherwise
wreak havoc on any cells with which they come in contact, damaging their cellular DNA and
promoting the development of cancer cells. For this and other reasons, foods rich in selenium are
also associated with a reduced risk for colon cancer. Accumulated evidence from prospective
studies, intervention trials and studies on animal models of cancer have suggested a strong
inverse correlation between selenium intake and cancer incidence. Selenium has been shown to
induce DNA repair and synthesis in damaged cells, to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells,
and to induce their apoptosis, the self-destruct sequence the body uses to eliminate worn out or
abnormal cells. A four-ounce serving of lean beef supplies 50.3% of the daily value for
selenium.
Lean beef is a good source of zinc, which is helpful for preventing the damage to blood vessel
walls that can contribute to atherosclerosis and is also needed for the proper function of the
immune system, making it a good nutrient for helping to prevent infections or recurrent ear
infections.
New research suggests that another reason for older men to make zinc-rich foods, such as beef, a
regular part of their healthy way of eating is bone mineral density. Although osteoporosis is
often thought to be a disease for which postmenopausal women are at highest risk, it is also a
potential problem for older men. Almost 30% of hip fractures occur in men, and 1 in 8 men over
age 50 will have an osteoporotic fracture. A study of 396 men ranging in age from 45-92 that
was published in the September 2004 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found
a clear correlation between low dietary intake of zinc, low blood levels of the trace mineral, and
osteoporosis at the hip and spine.(October 18, 2004)
Four ounces of lean beef contains 42.2% of the daily value for zinc.
So don't think eating healthy means saying goodbye to beef. Lean, low-fat organic beef
tenderloin can actually be a healthy addition to a good, whole foods diet.
Description
"Where's the beef?" is not only a famous advertising slogan. It is a question that one can ask
regarding a healthy diet since lean beef provides a vast resource of important nutrients.
Beef is available in a wide variety of cuts that can fulfill many different recipe needs. The
different cuts range in texture and tenderness as well as in fat content, making beef a very
versatile food. The leanest cuts of beef are taken from the back leg bone, called the round bone.
These include eye of round, top round, and bottom round. These cuts are the leanest (most
muscular) because the cow uses its back legs as its primary means of movement. The underbelly,
including rib, ribeye, spare rib, and brisket, is the site of the fattiest cuts.
In Latin, the scientific name for cow is Bos taurus.
History
Cows were first domesticated for beef in the regions of Greece and Turkey about 4,000 years
ago. Cows and the meat that they provide have been revered in many civilizations throughout
history, even being considered sacred in India and some parts of Africa. Beef consumption has
long been considered as a symbol of prosperity and wealth.
While people in the U.S. think that hamburgers are the all-American food, beef is a relatively
recent introduction to the U.S. Before the 16th century, cows and therefore beef were not known
in Western Hemisphere. They were brought to central and south America by the Spanish
conquistadors who invaded these regions. Cows and beef later came to North America with the
early colonists.
How to Select and Store
There are a few clues you can look for that will help you choose fresher quality beef. Always
examine the sell-by date on the label and choose the beef with the latest date. The muscle portion
of the meat should be a red or purplish color and not brown, which is a signal that the meat has
been excessively exposed to oxygen and is spoiled. Purchase beef that has the least amount of
fat. There is some controversy over the nature of fat color in beef (white versus yellow). Based
on current research, it is difficult to conclude that either yellow fat or white fat is automatically
good or bad. Yellow fat can mean increased beta-carotene content in the fat and in this respect,
could be a potential benefit. Overall, however, the purchase of beef with the very least amount of
fat is still your best bet.
As previously explained, the leanest cuts of beef are taken from the back leg bone, called the
round bone. These include eye of round, top round, and bottom round. These cuts are the leanest
(most muscular) because the cow uses its back legs as its primary means of movement. The
round is your best cut for lean, low-fat beef.
Whenever possible, purchase organically grown beef. This will give you more assurance that the
beef you are feeding yourself and your family does not have pesticide, hormone or antibiotic
residues and that the cattle were raised in a more humane manner.
Since beef is highly perishable, it should always be kept at cold temperatures, either refrigerated
or frozen. Refrigerate the beef in the original store packaging, if it is still intact and secure, as
this will reduce the amount of handling involved. Length of storage varies with the cut of beef as
larger pieces will have a longer shelf life than pieces with increased surface area. Ground beef
will keep for about one to two days, steaks for two to three days, and roasts for three to four
days.
If you have more beef than you can use within this period of time, you can freeze it in a cold
temperature freezer. Using either aluminum foil or freezer paper, wrap the beef carefully so that
it is as tightly packaged as possible. Ground beef should be able to keep for two to three months,
while steaks should keep for about six months.
How to Enjoy
A Few Quick Serving Ideas:
Healthy sauté thin slices of steak with onions, garlic, fresh basil, lemongrass and chili peppers
for a southeast Asian inspired meal.
Add ground beef to tomato sauce and serve over pasta.
Skewer cubes of beef with your favorite vegetables, brush with a little olive oil and grill.
Serve thinly slice cooked tenderloin on toasted whole wheat French bread, and enjoy these open
faced sandwiches topped with roasted peppers and onions.
Coat steaks with crushed peppercorns before cooking to create the classic dish, steak au poivre.
Grilling meat this summer? Be sure to enjoy it with a healthy serving of Cole slaw, or lightly
steamed cabbage broccoli Brussels sprouts, kale or cauliflower. These cruciferous vegetables
greatly increase our body's ability to detoxify heterocyclic amines, the carcinogenic compounds
produced when meat is grilled or otherwise charbroiled.
In a study published in Carcinogenesis (Kassie F, Uhl M, et al., February 2003), researchers
looked at the effects on the liver and colon of supplementing the diet of animals given a
heterocyclic amine carcinogen with Brussels sprouts or red cabbage.
Brussels sprouts reduced the development of pre-cancerous cells 41-52% in the colon and 27-
67% in the liver, and drastically diminished the size (85-91%) of pre-cancerous lesions in the
liver.
Red cabbage moderately decreased (19-50%) the number of pre-cancerous lesions that
developed in the liver and markedly reduced (41-83%) the size of those that did occur.
These highly protective effects are due to crucifers' ability to significantly increase the activity of
enzymes involved in both Phase I and Phase II detoxification.
Brussels sprouts' stronger protective effects are thought to be due to the fact that this cruciferous
vegetable contains 2-3 times the amount of phytonutrients called glucosinolates than are found
in red cabbage. Glucosinolates increase Phase II glucuronidation activity, one of the primary
pathways through which toxins that are made even more dangerous by Phase I, are rendered
water-soluble and ready for elimination from the body. So, boost your body's ability to protect
you from the cancer-promoting compounds formed when grilling meat or fish by enjoying these
foods with a healthy serving of crucifers. Liven up your plate with the vibrant colors of Cole
slaw made from red cabbage, carrots and scallions. For a bit of Indian flavor, dish up some
healthy sautéed cauliflower spiced with turmeric. Or be adventurous and give Brussels sprouts a
try. Tossed with virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, raisins and walnuts, lightly steamed Brussels
sprouts may turn out to be one of your favorite vegetables.
Marinate Beef Patties before Cooking for Healthier Hamburgers
Cooking hamburgers can result in the formation of cancer-causing compounds called
heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA), to which the International Agency for Research on Cancer
recommends reducing our exposure.
Fortunately, for those who love a good hamburger, coating beef patties with marinades made
with onion, garlic and lemon juice in pure olive oil can greatly reduce the amount of HAA
produced. When the amount of garlic was increased from 2 to 20 grams /100 grams of marinade,
the estimated HAA content in the hamburgers was reduced about 70%. (20 grams is
approximately ¾ of an ounce, while 100 grams is approximately 3.5 ounces.) The amounts of
onion, garlic and lemon juice that achieved maximum reduction of HAA were calculated as
31%, 29% and 15% in the marinade, respectively.
Study author, Monika Gibis speculates that the sulphur-containing compounds, such as cysteine
and glutathione, in garlic and onions are responsible since these compounds have been shown to
reduce HAA levels in model systems. (Gibis M. J Agric Food Chem.)
Individual Concerns
Beef and Heart Attack Risk
Red Meat Significantly Increases Heart Attack Risk
Results of the CARDIO2000 case-control study indicate that frequent red meat consumption
significantly increases risk of "acute coronary syndrome," a label which includes greatly
increased risk of unstable angina, plaque rupture, blood clot formation and heart attack.
(Kontogianni MD, Panagiotakos DB, et al., Eur J Clin Nutr)
In this research, involving 848 patients and 1078 healthy age- and sex-matched controls, eating
more than 8 servings of red meat a month was associated with 52% increased risk of a "cardiac
event," e.g., cardiac arrest and sudden death.
Eating white meat more than 12 times a month increased likelihood of having a cardiac event by
18%.
Study participants who ate 8 or more portions red meat or 12 or more portions of white meat
each month had 4.9 and 3.7 higher odds of having a heart attack, respectively, compared to those
with low meat intake (less than 4 portions of red meat and less than 8 portions of white meat per
month, respectively). Practical Tip: Limit your consumption of red meat to once a week and
white meat to twice a week. Enjoy more meals featuring fish, eggs, and whole grain/legume
combinations. Let our Recipe Assistant help you find quick, easy and delicious ideas for meat-
free meals.
Allergic Reactions to Beef
Although allergic reactions can occur to virtually any food, research studies on food allergy
consistently report more problems with some foods than with others. Common symptoms
associated with an allergic reaction to food include: chronic gastrointestinal disturbances;
frequent infections, e.g. ear infections, bladder infections, bed-wetting; asthma, sinusitis;