Benefits Of Lamb

Lamb is a popular red meat with tremendous health benefits added to its glory. Obtained from a young sheep not more than one year of age, it serves as a great source of necessary nutrients in the body. It easily features in the stew, for its tender and delightful taste, but is quite expensive than its counterparts - mutton and hogget. With improved breeding practices, butchery and trimming methods, the amount of fat in lamb has gone down at a great level, over the past twenty years, thus making it the perfect choice for health-conscious consumers. Sheep was domesticated in Middle East and Asia over ten thousand years ago, for both wool and meat. It has been even featured as a symbol of sacrifice in many religions, including Judaism and as a traditional dish on Easter in many countries. Lamb is rich in various nutrients, including the proteins, iron, vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, niacin and low in saturated fat, making it quite beneficial for health. With this article, we will help you explore the benefits of lamb.

Health Benefits Of Eating Lamb

Lamb is a good source of high quality protein and supplies the body with 60.3% of the daily requirement for protein.
The meat is a good source of selenium, a mineral whose deficiency can lead to asthma attacks.
Lamb is rich in iron, which is an integral component of hemoglobin and aids formation of red blood cells in the body. The form in which iron is present in lamb is easily absorbed by the body.
The meat contains a high amount of zinc, which is required by every living cell in the body for healthy immune function, cell division and overall growth.
It is a good source of vitamin B12, necessary to prevent a dangerous molecule called homocysteine from harming the body. It also promotes a healthy nervous system, supports the formation of red blood cells and prevents anemia. Moreover, vitamin B12 is found naturally only in animal foods.
The niacin (vitamin B3) present in lamb provides protection against Alzheimer's disease, promotes healthy skin and keeps age-related cognitive decline at bay. Moreover, it retards the risk of developing osteoarthritis by as much as half.
Lamb is good for health conscious people, as it is a source of ‘good fat’ in the body and has less saturated fat than other meat products.

Caution

Lamb, being a red meat, has high amount of dietary saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, which can result in different forms of chronic diseases, including heart diseases and some forms of cancer.
Like other meat items, lamb also contains naturally occurring substances like purines that are responsible for the health condition called gout and even the formation of kidney stones.Hence, it is advisable for individuals suffering with kidney problems or gout, to limit or avoid intake of purine-containing foods such as lamb.

Cooking Tips

While ground lamb can make a delicious burger when hardened and cooked; lamb loin pieces can be braised in wine, rosemary or garlic for delightful taste.
You can add a traditional touch to the lamb with mint yogurt sauce, garlic, cayenne and mint leaves.
For a typical Indian flavor, spice up the lamb with boiled cauliflower and turmeric.
The leg of lamb, especially the shank towards the foot, is very scrumptious, if eaten right after cooking it. Moreover, its sight is quite appealing as well.
Lamb blends well with a number of ingredients, including apricots, yoghurt, tarragon, olive oil, aubergine, tomatoes, couscous, coriander and French mustard.
You can prepare shish kabobs by grilling small sizes of lamb with your favorite vegetables.
You can toss up lamb with vinegar, roasted walnuts and virgin olive oil for a delicious flavor.

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