Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Beef organs have been used as food for centuries in ancient and traditional diets. However, these highly nutritious foods have gained popularity in recent years.
What exactly are beef organ supplements, and do they have any potential health benefits?
Beef organs form the base of a beef organ supplement. Beef organs are parts of a cow, other than muscle, that are consumed as food or for potential health benefits.
Since beef organs are the non-muscle parts of a cow, they often include cow tongue, sweetbreads, stomach lining or tripe, liver, and bones. Beef sweetbreads are thymus or pancreas glands from calves. Despite their name, sweetbreads aren't sweet, and they aren't bread-based.
While some individuals choose to consume beef organs raw, the majority of people cook them before eating.
With the rise of social media influencers promoting increased consumption of meat and meat products, beef organs and supplements made from beef organs are suddenly on the radar for many people who haven't previously heard of them.
Why are beef organs and organ supplements becoming so popular? It could be due to the many potential health benefits that come with these nutritious but often overlooked parts of the cow.
Despite the social media attention, the human consumption of beef organs is not exactly new. Animal organs, often referred to as offal, have been consumed traditionally by many cultures around the world for millennia.
For example, Scottish cuisine has a dish called haggis, which is made from minced sheep's heart, lungs, and liver. Chinese cuisine includes a dish called ngau zap or ngau chap, which is made from stewed beef entrails, such as the pancreas, spleen, and tripe. Even in countries like the United States, where organ meats aren't as popular, many people eat dishes like liver and onions.
So why are beef organs and beef organ supplements becoming more popular? It could be due to the high level of nutrients that beef organs contain.
According to medical institutions like the Cleveland Clinic, beef organs are a highly nutritious source of protein. For instance, beef organs contain macronutrients like protein and micronutrients such as vitamins B, K, and A. They also contain minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium.
The most popular beef organs are liver, tripe, bones, and tongue.
Beef liver is one of the most eaten beef organs worldwide. The liver is an organ that performs multiple functions, but its primary role is detoxifying the blood.
The Cleveland Clinic reports that beef liver is high in nutrients like iron.
Iron is an essential nutrient that helps the blood transport oxygen throughout the body. Iron is also necessary for growth and development. There are two types of iron: heme and non-heme. Non-heme iron is found primarily in plants, while heme iron is found in animal sources like beef organs.
Studies show that heme iron is more bioavailable than non-heme iron. This availability shows that heme iron is more easily absorbed and used by the body.
According to the World Health Organization, the most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency, which affects over 40% of children and up to 30% of women worldwide.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, and poor growth in children. Beef liver may help alleviate iron deficiency anemia because of its high iron content. Studies suggest that beef liver may have as much as 52 micrograms of iron per gram of liver.
Beef liver is also high in vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is necessary for healthy eyes, skin, and a strong immune system. Studies suggest that vitamin A deficiency is most common in young children in developing countries and in those with inflammatory bowel disease, like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
One analysis of beef organs found that beef liver contains between 37 and 46 micrograms of vitamin A per gram, making it a bioavailable source of vitamin A for those who are averse to plant foods that contain vitamin A, such as carrots and pumpkin.
The edible lining of a cow's stomach, referred to as tripe, is often used as a high-protein, low-fat beef organ meat. It's common in dishes like Mexican menudo. While tripe is a high-quality protein, it's also a great source of magnesium. Magnesium is an essential mineral necessary for over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.
Since the body guards its magnesium stores tightly by keeping the majority of the mineral stored in bones, outright magnesium deficiency is not very common in the population.
Unfortunately, this isn't the case with subclinical magnesium deficiency. This is because of inadequate intake from the food supply. An increase in modern farming techniques often strips the soil of magnesium, leaving little of the essential mineral in produce like leafy greens.
Subclinical magnesium deficiency doesn't show up in serum magnesium tests and often goes undiagnosed. Symptoms of subclinical low magnesium levels may include headaches, fatigue, muscle weakness, and low mood.
Tripe contains approximately 107 micrograms of magnesium per gram, making it a high-quality, bioavailable source of magnesium.
Tripe tends to be higher in sodium than other beef organs, so those on a low-sodium diet may want to exercise caution when eating it.
Most people don't think of bones when it comes to beef organs, but they can be packed with nutrients. For example, beef bones are often high in minerals like calcium, as well as other nutrients like amino acids and collagen.
Beef bones are often used to make bone broth. Bone broth is a type of nutrient-dense soup made by simmering bones, usually from a cow, along with spices and herbs, for extended periods to break down tissues like collagen for better absorption.
Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in the body, necessary for smooth and supple skin. One meta-analysis of 19 studies found that collagen supplementation improved the hydration and elasticity of skin in women aged 20-70.
Bone broth may be a more tasty source of collagen for those who don't like the taste or texture of collagen supplements.
Studies also suggest that bone broth may support gut health and immune function because of its high glutamine content. Glutamine is an amino acid used extensively by the gut. One clinical study found that the intestines used about 30% of the body's total glutamine stores.
Glutamine acts as fuel for intestinal cells. It also helps maintain intestinal integrity and reduce inflammation, which are crucial in preventing conditions like intestinal permeability, commonly known as leaky gut.
Leaky gut has been linked to poor gut health and autoimmune diseases.
It may come as a surprise that beef tongue contains high amounts of vitamin K.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin well known for its essential role in blood clotting. Vitamin K also plays another essential role: bone formation.
While the extent to which vitamin K can prevent bone diseases like osteoporosis is not yet well understood, case-control studies suggest that adequate levels of vitamin K are necessary for good bone health.
Other case-control studies have shown an association between low serum vitamin K levels and a higher risk of bone fractures, especially in individuals of European and Asian descent.
Beef tongue is high in vitamin K, having between 88 and 100 nanograms of vitamin K per 1-gram serving.
While beef organs themselves are high in nutrients and may help improve conditions like leaky gut and iron deficiency anemia, some people may feel that organ meats are not for them. Some people choose not to eat certain foods due to sensory sensitivities, personal values, or cultural traditions.
For those who still want the potential health benefits of beef organs without consuming them, there are other options available, such as an organ supplement.
Beef organ supplements can come in many forms, from powders to pills. These supplements are typically formulated from high-quality beef organ ingredients, but they are designed for easy consumption.
Many individuals may find taking beef organ supplements easier than eating the organ meats themselves because the supplements aren't highly textured, and they are usually formulated with little to no taste.
Whether you choose to consume beef organs raw or cooked, as supplements or in their whole form, beef organs may offer a whole host of health benefits. As powerhouse nutrient sources, beef organs may help to improve gut health, skin appearance, and even iron deficiency anemia.
While our modern diet may not allow for regular consumption of beef organs, adding high-quality beef organ supplements to a wellness routine may provide lifelong health benefits.
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