The most nutritious part of a chicken that few people know about.

Chicken hearts are not only delicious, but few people know that they are also one of the most nutritious parts of a chicken (Photo: Getty).

According to Healthline, a 100g serving of cooked chicken hearts contains the following nutrients:

- Calories: 185kcal

- Protein: 26g

- Fat: 8g

- Starch: 0.1g

- Vitamin B12: 304% of the daily recommended intake (DV)

- Zinc: 66% DV

- Riboflavin: 57% DV

- Copper: 56% of DV

- Pantothenic acid: 53% DV

- Iron: 50% of the daily value (DV)

- Folate: 20% DV

- Vitamin B6: 19% DV

- Niacin: 18% DV

- Phosphorus: 16% DV

- Selenium: 15% DV

Chicken hearts are particularly rich in vitamin B12, an essential micronutrient involved in DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and nerve health. They also contain plenty of zinc, which is necessary for cell growth, wound healing, and blood sugar control.

Additionally, chicken hearts can enhance the body's absorption of riboflavin, a water-soluble B vitamin crucial for growth, development, and energy metabolism.

Meanwhile, according to traditional Chinese medicine, chicken hearts are considered a highly nutritious food with effects such as nourishing the blood, strengthening health, promoting urination, relieving headaches, combating stomach pain, preventing insomnia, improving memory and mental well-being, and are especially beneficial for people with physical weakness, anemia, and fatigue.

Here is detailed information about the nutritional values of chicken hearts:

A good source of protein.

Chicken hearts are an excellent source of protein, containing 26g of protein per 100g serving. Protein is essential for many aspects of health, including building and maintaining muscle mass, immune function, and physical development.

Some studies also suggest that increasing protein intake can help regulate and reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness, which may be beneficial for weight loss.

Rich in iron

Iron is not only essential for oxygen transport and DNA synthesis, but it is also crucial for the production of healthy red blood cells.

An estimated 1.6 billion people globally suffer from iron deficiency, making it the most common nutritional deficiency in the world . This can cause a range of symptoms, including weakness, fatigue, weakened immunity, and digestive problems.

Adding iron-rich foods, including chicken hearts, to your diet is one of the best ways to ensure you're meeting your body's iron needs.

Who should limit their consumption of chicken hearts?

Although chicken hearts are a healthy and nutritious addition to the diet of most healthy adults, those with gout may need to moderate their intake of this food.

This is because chicken hearts contain a lot of purines, a compound found in many foods, especially organ meats.

When your body breaks down purines, it can increase uric acid levels, which can build up in your joints and trigger a gout flare-up.

For this reason, people with gout are sometimes advised to follow a low-purine diet and limit their consumption of foods such as chicken hearts.

Source: Dan Tri Newspaper

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