Potential harms of eating beef jerky regularly

Causes bloating and weight gain

Beef jerky is high in sodium, which can cause water retention, bloating, weight gain, and increase the risk of certain diseases like heart disease.

Illustration photo. (Photo source: Internet)

Increased risk of chronic disease

As a processed red meat, beef jerky may increase the risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Some evidence suggests that red meat may cause high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and could be replaced with plant-based protein options.

Beef jerky is a food that is marinated with many hot spices, contains a high amount of salt and contains a lot of cholesterol. If you consume too much, it will increase the risk of high blood pressure and terrible kidney damage. Therefore, people with high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease, high blood fat should not use beef jerky regularly because it is harmful to health.

At risk of poisoning

During processing, if hygiene is not ensured, beef jerky can contain a lot of listeria bacteria, which can easily cause diarrhea and intestinal diseases in users.

In addition, beef jerky is also highly susceptible to toxoplasmosis. This type of bacteria can be harmful to pregnant women, especially dangerous to the fetus, the baby can have impaired brain and eye function. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid using this dish.

What should you pay attention to when eating beef jerky?

This meat is a convenient source of protein, zinc, iron, but can also be high in sodium. Excess sodium can lead to bloating and weight gain. Manufacturers often add salt during the drying process to prevent spoilage. Some evidence suggests that overconsumption of red and processed meats increases the risk of health complications. A serving of beef jerky has about 20% of the recommended daily intake of sodium for adults.

Beef jerky often contains preservatives such as sodium nitrite, which if consumed in large amounts can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Over time, too much sodium can increase the risk of cardiovascular health conditions, blood pressure, osteoporosis, kidney stones, etc.

The link between processed red meat consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease is well established. Therefore, beef jerky should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet.

Some evidence suggests that replacing red meat with plant-based protein can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease. There are many plant-based alternatives to beef jerky if you want to eat less red meat, for example, dried mushrooms have a similar texture and umami taste.

Pay attention to the ingredient list on the product package label, some brands of beef jerky may use common allergens, such as soy malt extract or barley (a source of gluten).

Store beef jerky in a cool, dry place and in a sealed container. Only eat beef jerky that is within its expiry date and in good condition, free from mold, has no visible signs of contamination, has no strange smell and has not changed in colour.

How much beef jerky should I eat per day?

Beef jerky should be eaten in moderation (about 28g/day). Each serving contains about 100 calories. Although this snack can be beneficial because of its high nutritional content, it is still best to consume beef jerky in moderation.

You should eat whole, unprocessed foods to meet your nutritional needs for protein, zinc, iron, and other essential nutrients.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/tac-hai-tiem-an-cua-viec-an-thit-bo-kho-thuong-xuyen.html