Argentina is the land of beef. Seriously, everything here is all beef, all the time. We went on a walking tour with Free Tours Buenos Aires (which was fantastic- I would highly recommend them!) and learned that cow’s blood may even be the secret behind the color of their famous Casa Rosada. Up until recently, Argentina had the highest annual beef consumption in the world.
As far as I knew it was all grass-fed since that is what they are known for. I have been so, so excited to get to try the famous Argentine beef, the grass-fed, best in the world, holy grail of beef- so how completely shocked was I when I found out that most of the beef here is no longer grass-fed?!? Thanks to taxes and government subsidized feed-lots, grass fed beef has sadly become the exception rather than the rule here. It is still possible to find grass-fed beef at the parillas in Buenos Aires, but not as common. It is, however, still worth finding. According to a review of 30 years worth of studies in the Journal of Nutrition and other studies, like this one, there are numerous reasons that grass fed beef is better for you than corn-fed beef. Compared to their grain-fed counterparts, grass-fed beef has:
- Higher omega-3 fatty acid content, and a better omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio. Omega-3’s play an important role in brain function, reducing inflammation in the body and helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Elevated levels of precursors for the antioxidant vitamins A & E and the cancer fighting antioxidant glutathione. (Look for a yellowish tint in the fat of the beef- this indicates a higher quantity of carotenoids, the precursor to vitamin A.) Grass-fed beef has three times the amount of α-tocopherol which helps keep the beef fresh and fights free radicals in the body.
- Less of an impact on Cholesterol Levels: Grass- fed beef produces saturated fatty acids that are considered more cholesterol neutral.
- A lower overall fat content
However, just because grass-fed beef may be the better choice, it is still best consumed in moderation (think a piece the size of your palm). It may be higher in omega-3’s and have a better ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, but it is still not your best source of heart healthy omega-3’s. Instead look to fatty fish like salmon or sardines or plant based options like walnuts or ground flaxseed. So, go ahead and enjoy your grass fed beef- but be sure and pair it with a few veggies!