Enjoy your chicken, it’s good for the heart

[FlyJ]

 

Chicken is a very popular food in this country as well as throughout the world. Just about every country on this planet has a famous chicken soup and recipe. It is so adaptable, widely available, and reasonably affordable.

 

Many also prefer it to seafood and fish because of its inoffensive taste that will not interfere with others, so it marries well with bolder flavours.

 

But apart from its delicious taste, nutritionists say chicken is especially good for the heart, as it contains the good fatty acids which do not encourage weight gain — a predisposing factor for coronary heart disease.

 

Consultant Nutritionist, Dr. Shola Adebiyi, says that the Omega-*** fatty acids in chicken reduces risks of cardiovascular diseases.

 

Adebiyi states, “Chicken is relatively low in saturated fats, compared to many protein alternatives such as meat, especially when the skin is removed and it is not fried.

 

“By eating chicken, you will lower your risk of developing heart disease by reducing your LDL or “bad” cholesterol. Basically, eating chicken makes it easier for you to maintain a healthy weight due to its low fat content.”

 

If you want to reduce your risks for some forms of cancer, experts say you should incorporate chicken into your diet.

 

Food experts note that chicken is a great source of selenium – a trace element that has been shown to fight cancer.

 

They affirm that selenium has a positive effect on the incidence of other degenerative diseases, including inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases and infections.

 

“A part of chicken contains 24 microgrammes of selenium, which is 44 per cent of the selenium you need daily. Selenium is an antioxidant that activates vitamins C and E and their ability to fight cancer-promoting free radicals.”

 

Many are aware of the fact that chicken is one of the richest sources of protein, but few actually know that chicken is loaded with vitamin B3, B6 and niacin — nutrients that have been known to boost immunity, protect against infections and also help cell regeneration and rejuvenation.

 

Experts highlight that vitamin B6 found in chicken is an essential element that helps the body produce insulin needed for the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates.

 

“Without vitamin B6, your immune system, metabolism and central nervous system would not function properly. The active form of vitamin B6, called pyridoxal phosphate, has the largest effect on human metabolism and each serving of chicken contains 40 per cent of your daily recommended vitamin B6 intake,” Adebiyi adds.

 

You have been told the many amazing benefits of eating chicken. However, nutritionist and dietician, Dr. Segun Alonge, maintains that for you to actually get the benefits aforementioned, you must eat the right form of chicken, which is the organic or grass-fed one.

 

Alonge says since organically raised animals are not fed antibiotics, artificial hormones, or the bovine human growth hormone, otherwise known as rbGH and they also do not eat genetically modified foods, and cannot have their genes modified, they contain nutrients that is good for the body.

 

He adds that organic chicken also contain no pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical or synthetic fertilisers, nitrates or preservatives that could pose any harm to the body, unlike the factory fed chicken.

 

“Organic chicken does not contain toxins, chemicals and drugs that you will find in those commercially raised ones.

 

“Fat is where toxins are stored in any animal. Hence, growth hormones and antibiotics fed to chickens end up in their fat.

 

“Eating those factory fed chicken increases your exposure to residues of pesticides and synthetic chemicals such as DDT, PCBs, dioxin, and more, which end up in animal fat. Such chemicals can contribute to a number of health problems such as diabetes.”

 

They say that since organic animals are reared under ethical and conducive conditions, their meat is less likely to be infected when compared to infection rates in factory-raised animals.

 

“Factory-farmed animals live in feedlots that prevent normal growth and development. Infections spread faster among animals that are grown in a caged environment.

 

The chances of spreading infections in organically raised animals are minimal because they feed outdoors, grazing on grass and wandering freely on the farm,” he adds.

 

Tips for preparing chicken

 

 

• Be extremely careful when handling raw chicken so that it does not come in contact with other foods, especially those that will be served uncooked.
  
• Wash the cutting board, utensils, and even your hands very well with hot, soapy water after handling the chicken.
  
• If your recipe requires marinating, you should always do so in the refrigerator, as chicken is very sensitive to heat, which can increase the chances of spoilage.
  

 

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[dequeen]

Good thing I'm having me loads of chicken this season. After this season, we go start to eat crayfish, chai!