Beef jerky in its many guises across the globe is often seen as no more than a tasty, if not somewhat unhealthy treat. To suggest that beef jerky is good for the mind is sure to elicit a storm of protest from many health conscious red meat detractors. The truth is a little more complex though, and this desiccated delight is often unfairly maligned.
Jerky is fairly light, keeps well and packs a lot of protein punch so its popularity as saddle bag or wagon grub box fare for gritty ground breakers ranging from North American frontiersmen to South African Boer Commandos is understandable.
People are eating beef jerky today for more than just the taste of it, it has become an essential diet supplement for both dieters and trainers.
When it comes to all round value in food types, beef is hard to beat. It is arguably one of the most abundant sources of minerals, vitamins and body boosting protein available. The good health watch dogs claim, however, that the salt, preservatives and fat in jerky rates it right up there wi th the plague. So how does beef jerky fare as a brain food then?
Most of our basic body functions are fired by neuron transmitted pulses in our brains. These messages are helped along by compounds known as neurotransmitters. These chemicals are naturally produced by our bodies from amino acids produced by the metabolism of proteins in the food we eat.
A deficiency of these neurotransmitters can cause conditions that range from clinical depression and Schizophrenia to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Obviously then a source of quality protein can only be beneficial to our overall brain health.
The high protein content of beef is thus beneficial in the process of neurotransmitter production and can promote good brain health. Beef is not the only rich source of protein, but is certainly one of the most abundant sources of really high quality protein available.
Other important components of a healthy brain are vitamins and minerals. They promote growth and development of the brain and play an essential role in producing energy which is a crucial part of neurological activity.
As mentioned previously, the total fat, salt and preservative content of Beef Jerky you purchase can be controlled by simple vigilance when shopping or using low fat cuts to make your own at home.
Well, there you have it. Beef jerky is good for the mind – and the rest of your body too. Several successful beef jerky diets doing the rounds show that it is even possible to maintain good nutritional and loose weight with beef jerky which is good news all around for jerky fans.