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Grass-Fed Beef Better for Health, Environment
July 29, 2008 06:00 AM
An increasing number of studies show that grass-fed beef contains more nutrients, less fat and fewer calories than corn-fed beef and pollutes less than industrialized cattle farming.
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Several studies point to the health benefits of grass-fed beef over cattle raised on corn-based feed.
In addition to having higher levels of “good fats” including omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), grass-fed beef has significantly less fat and calories than its more marbled equivalent.
Moreover, grass-fed beef avoids some of the health concerns associated with cattle fed on grain. The outbreak of mad cow disease in Europe in the 1990s was apparently caused by grain that was mixed with meat-and-bonemeal from contaminated cows. The disease caused neurological disorders in both animals and humans.
Additionally, cows raised in industrial farms are often fed antibiotics to keep from getting sick in close quarters. Human beings who ingest the antibiotics indirectly are often susceptible to antibiotic immunities as a result.
Finally, grass-fed beef can be better for the environment. Because fewer cows can be kept on a pasture, farms that raise grass-fed beef tend to be smaller and less polluting. Furthermore, the mass production of corn necessary to provide grain for industrial cow farms produces serious emissions in the form of harvesting and transportation.
However, because grass-fed beef is produced on a smaller scale than industrially farmed beef, it is not always stocked by conventional grocery stores. In some areas, the only place to find pasture-raised beef is online. The small-scale nature of the industry also means that grass-fed beef sells at higher prices.
In addition to having higher levels of “good fats” including omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), grass-fed beef has significantly less fat and calories than its more marbled equivalent.
Moreover, grass-fed beef avoids some of the health concerns associated with cattle fed on grain. The outbreak of mad cow disease in Europe in the 1990s was apparently caused by grain that was mixed with meat-and-bonemeal from contaminated cows. The disease caused neurological disorders in both animals and humans.
Additionally, cows raised in industrial farms are often fed antibiotics to keep from getting sick in close quarters. Human beings who ingest the antibiotics indirectly are often susceptible to antibiotic immunities as a result.
Finally, grass-fed beef can be better for the environment. Because fewer cows can be kept on a pasture, farms that raise grass-fed beef tend to be smaller and less polluting. Furthermore, the mass production of corn necessary to provide grain for industrial cow farms produces serious emissions in the form of harvesting and transportation.
However, because grass-fed beef is produced on a smaller scale than industrially farmed beef, it is not always stocked by conventional grocery stores. In some areas, the only place to find pasture-raised beef is online. The small-scale nature of the industry also means that grass-fed beef sells at higher prices.
Headline Link: 'Want Guilt-Free Steak? Go against the Grain'
MSNBC explores recent research that indicates that “beef from grass-fed cattle is leaner, more nutrient-dense, better for the environment and safer to eat … The Journal of Dairy Science has reported that levels of E. coli are usually higher in grain-fed cattle.” Furthermore, the grain used to feed cattle contributes to carbon emissions through both farming and transportation.
Source: MSNBC
Background: Why grass-fed beef is better
According to Men’s Journal, research shows that “cows fed a natural diet of grass produce beef with less overall fat, less saturated fat, and fewer calories.” In addition, the Union of Concerned Scientists also discovered that grass-fed beef contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and CLAs, which are both “good fats.”
Source: Men’s Journal
Eatwild, a Web site that details the benefits of consuming animals reared on pasture, explains what often goes into the feed at large-scale farms. “Animals raised in factory farms are given diets designed to boost their productivity and lower costs. The main ingredients are genetically modified grain and soy that are kept at artificially low prices by government subsidies. To further cut costs, the feed may also contain ‘by-product feedstuff’ such as municipal garbage, stale pastry, chicken feathers, and candy,” the site reports.
Source: Eat Wild
Reference: The nutrients in grass-fed beef
Researchers at California State University examine the nutritional makeup of grass-fed beef to determine “the enhanced nutrient claim for grass-fed products as well as review the effects these specific nutrients have on human health.”
Source: California State University
Related Topics: Health risks of grain-fed beef
Mad cow disease
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the outbreak of mad cow disease (or BSE—bovine spongiform encephalopathy) was caused by meat-and-bonemeal from contaminated cows, mixed in with the grain.
Source: United States Department of Health & Human Services
Health and environmental hazards of corn-fed beef
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the risks of eating corn-fed beef from major farms are both medical and environmental. The UCS reports that “While cattle on pasture rarely get sick, those confined to feedlots and fed grain are prone to disease and most feedlot operators routinely feed antibiotics to prevent illness and to accelerate growth. This, in turn, increases the risk of antibiotic resistance in humans. In addition, air and water pollution stemming from dust and mountains of feedlot manure, and the many fertilizers and pesticides used in grain production, exact a heavy toll on the environment and the health of farmers, farm workers, and nearby residents.”
Source: Union of Concerned Scientists
Eat beef better
WebMD shows that it’s possible to enjoy beef without sacrificing your health with these four tips for healthy meat eating.
Source: WebMD
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