Effects of Eating Pork

Pork has been much maligned over the years for being high in fat and being bad for the body. To a certain degree, these statements are true. Here we are going to examine this speculation further and get down to the real facts about this animal protein.

Types

• There are many different versions of pork that are daily mainstays on plates worldwide. Some of them include bacon, sausage, hot dogs, ham, salami, porketta and pork chops. Pork can be fried, baked, smoked, marinated, broiled and basted. Each type and preparation can have a different effect on the body. The best kind to get is also the leanest--pork loin.

Significance

• Pork is right up there with chicken and beef from a popularity standpoint. Some advocates refer to it as "the other white meat." This statement is very dependent on the preparation. From a health perspective, the more greasy it is, the less nutritious it is.

Effects

• When pork is eaten in large quantities, it can wreak havoc on the body. It tends to have more fat than beef or chicken to start with, making it higher in calories. Secondly, there is usually added butter, oil and salt in the preparation, adding even more calories, fat and sodium. This can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, sodium retention and heart problems, not to mention weight gain and obesity.
  But the body is always in need of good protein sources. When prepared properly, pork can be lean and a great source of protein. It is also high in iron and B vitamins, essential for energy and muscle preservation.

Prevention/Solution

• As with any other food, eating too much will cause weight gain. Pork is no exception, even if it is the leanest preparation there is. Just because it is cooked healthy, a lot of people tend to eat more of it. It would probably be wiser to eat 2 strips of bacon rather than 3 pork loin sandwiches. Moderation is the key. Limiting pork consumption to 2 to 3 servings a week is recommended.

Expert Insight

• If there is a family history of heart disease and high cholesterol, then eating pork is probably not too good of an idea. Physicians often advise to wean pork out of the diet for this reason. However, there are some really good alternatives to pork that are made from soy. This especially holds true for bacon, sausage, hot dogs and lunch meat (see Resources below).