Q: How does Buffalo meat compare to beef?
Excerpted from the USDA Handbook
Q: What are the health benefits of 100% grass-fed buffalo meat as compared with grain-fed buffalo meat?
Grass-fed buffalo meat is:
About FATS (Good & Bad)
"If you eat a typical amount of beef, switching to a lean grass-fed beef will save you 17,733 calories a year...If everything else in your diet remains constant, you'll lose about six pounds a year".
~ Jo Robinson (eatwild.com)
Data from J. Animal Sci 80(5):1202-11
Q: What types of good fats does 100% Grass-fed buffalo meat contain?
Grass-fed meat is higher in Omega 3 fatty acids as well as CLA (Conjugated linoleic acid)
"Omega-3's are "good fats" that originate in the green leaves of plants and algae. They play a vital role in every cell and system of your body. People who have enough omega-3's in their diet are less likely to have high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat, and are 50% less likely to suffer a heart attack. Omega-3's are essential for your brain too. People with a diet rich in omega-3's are less likely to suffer from depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, or Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, animal studies have shown that omega-3's may reduce your risk of cancer."
~ Jo Robinson (eatwild.com)
"Meat from grass-fed animals has 2-4 times more omega-3 fatty acids than meat from grain-fed animals."
~ Jo Robinson (eatwild.com)
The reason 100% Grass-fed buffalo meat has such a high level of omega-3 fatty acids is due to the green grass that they eat. When animals are switched to a grain diet, the levels of omega-3's quickly decline. (see chart below):
Data from J. Animal Sci 1993 71(8):2079-88
Q: What are CLA's?
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), is another type of "good fat". Meat and dairy products are the richest known source of CLA. 100% pasture-raised buffalo meat contains 3-5 times more CLA than grain-fed animals.
"CLA may be one of our most potent defenses against cancer...there is new evidence that CLA may reduce cancer risk in humans. In a Finnish study, women who had the highest levels of CLA in their diet had a 60% lower risk of breast cancer than those with the lowest levels. Switching from grain-fed to grass-fed meat and dairy products puts women in the lowest risk category."
~ Jo Robinson (eatwild.com)
Vitamin E
The meat from grass-fed animals is four times higher in Vitamin E than the meat from grain-fed animals. (see chart below)
"In humans, Vitamin E is linked with a lower risk of heart disease and cancer. This potent anti-oxidant may also have anti-aging properties. Most Americans are deficient in vitamin E."
~ Jo Robinson (eatwild.com)
Data from Smith, G.C. "Dietary supplementation of vitamin E to cattle to improve shelf life and cas beef for domestic and international markets." Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado