Top 5 Health Benefits of Eating Beef Liver!

Discover the top 5 health benefits of eating beef liver, including high levels of protein and vitamins A, B12, Iron, and Folate.

Russell Richardson Jr

22 Mar 2023

You might be wrinkling your nose at the thought of eating liver, but bear with us here. This humble organ meat has been consumed for centuries by people all over the world for its incredible nutritional benefits. While most people eat the muscle meats of animals and avoid organ meats altogether.

So, if you're looking to up your nutrient game, beef liver might just be the answer you're looking for.

In this post, we're going to break down the top 5 health benefits of eating beef liver, and hopefully convince you to give it a try. So, put away your reservations and read on.

Key Takeaways

Eating beef liver has numerous health benefits, including boosting the immune system, helping to reduce inflammation, and providing essential vitamins and minerals.
Start small when adding beef liver to your diet – it can be an acquired taste! Try mixing it with more flavorful ingredients such as onions, garlic, and herbs like thyme and rosemary.
Other types of liver, including chicken, duck, and lamb liver, offer similar health benefits and tend to have a milder taste.
Beef liver supplements are an easy way to incorporate liver into your diet in a safe and controlled manner.

1) Rich in Essential Nutrients

First things first, let's talk about why beef liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods.

One serving of cooked beef liver (approximately 100 grams) contains the following nutrients:

Vitamin A: 1500-7000% of the DV (depending on the source)
Vitamin B12: 1306% of the DV
Copper: 714% of the DV
Iron: 80% of the DV
Riboflavin: 201% of the DV
Niacin: 87% of the DV
Pantothenic acid: 40% of the DV
Phosphorus: 43% of the DV
Vitamin C: 39% of the DV

Now, that might seem like a lot of numbers to take in, but the key takeaway here is that beef liver is an incredibly rich source of vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids that are perfect for overall health and well-being. From supporting healthy vision to boosting energy levels, beef liver has got it all.

2) Boosts Energy and Cognitive Function

Do you find yourself feeling sluggish in the afternoon or struggling to focus on your work? Beef liver might be able to help with that.

One of the best sources of vitamin B12, beef liver can help boost your energy levels and improve cognitive function.

Vitamin B12 is required for the body to produce red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your organs and tissues.
Without enough B12, you can become anemic and feel tired and weak.

But that's not all – vitamin B12 is also essential for brain function.

Studies have shown that B12 deficiency can lead to memory issues, confusion, and other cognitive problems.
By incorporating beef liver into your diet, you can give your brain the B12 it needs to stay sharp and focused.

And it's not just B12 that beef liver has to offer. The iron in liver is also important for energy and cognitive function, as it helps carry oxygen to the brain and other organs.

In fact, iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world, and can lead to fatigue, weakness, and poor concentration.

So if you're looking for a natural way to boost your energy and improve your mental clarity, consider adding beef liver to your diet. Your body and brain will thank you for it.

3) Supports Healthy Eyesight

You've probably heard that carrots are good for your eyesight, but did you know that beef liver can be even better?

That's right – beef liver is one of the best sources of vitamin A around, which is essential for healthy vision.

Now, you might be thinking, "Can't I just get my vitamin A from eating carrots?" Well, here's the thing – there are two types of vitamin A:

Preformed vitamin A (also known as retinol) and provitamin A (also known as carotenoids).
Carrots and other plant sources contain mostly provitamin A, which the body has to convert into retinol in order to use.
Beef liver, on the other hand, contains high levels of preformed vitamin A, which is easier for the body to absorb and use.
Essentially, this means that beef liver is one of the most effective dietary sources of vitamin A around.

Why is vitamin A so important for healthy vision?

Well, for one thing, it helps maintain the health of your cornea (the outermost layer of your eye).
And that's not all – vitamin A also plays a role in a protein called rhodopsin, which helps your eyes adjust to changes in light.
If you're not getting enough vitamin A, you can experience vision problems like night blindness and dry eyes.

So, don't neglect the power of beef liver when it comes to taking care of your eyesight. Incorporating it into your diet can help keep your vision sharp for years to come.

4) Strengthens Immunity

Nobody likes getting sick, but with the cold and flu season upon us, it can be hard to avoid. That's where beef liver comes in – its high levels of vitamin A make it a great immune-boosting food.

Here's how it works:

Vitamin A helps regulate the immune system, allowing it to better fight off infections and illnesses.
Studies have shown that vitamin A deficiency can lead to weakened immunity, leaving you more susceptible to infections.
One serving of beef liver contains more vitamin A than the recommended daily intake, making it a great way to get the immune-boosting benefits of this nutrient.

But vitamin A isn't the only nutrient in beef liver that's good for your immune system. Copper, another mineral found in liver, also plays a role in immune function.

In fact, studies have shown that copper deficiency can lead to weakened immunity, increased susceptibility to infections, and white and red blood cell formation.

So, if you eat beef liver regularly, you can give your immune system a boost and help stave off sickness. And who doesn't want that?

5) Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is a normal part of the body's immune response, but chronic inflammation can be harmful to your health.

Luckily, beef liver contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help keep inflammation in check. Here are a few key examples:

Choline: This nutrient plays a role in a number of bodily processes, including inflammation. Studies have found that increasing choline intake can reduce markers of inflammation in the blood.
Glycine: An amino acid found in liver, glycine has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. One study found that glycine supplementation reduced markers of inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome.
Vitamin A: Yes, we're bringing up vitamin A again. In addition to its immune-boosting properties, vitamin A also has anti-inflammatory effects. One study found that vitamin A supplementation reduced inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

By incorporating beef liver into your diet, you can potentially reduce inflammation in your body and improve your overall health.

Of course, it's important to note that diet isn't the only factor that affects inflammation – factors like stress, sleep, and exercise also play a role. But adding some liver to your meals certainly can't hurt.

Bottom Line

So, there you have it – the top 5 health benefits of eating beef liver. We know it might not be the most appetizing food out there, but with all the nutrients it contains, it's really worth giving it a try.

Here are a few final thoughts to leave you with:

Don't be afraid to start small. If you're hesitant about trying beef liver, start with a small amount and work your way up. You might be surprised how much you end up liking it.
Consider cooking beef liver with other flavorful ingredients or mix it with ground muscle meats to make it more palatable. Onions, garlic, and herbs like thyme and rosemary can all help mask the strong flavor of liver.
If you're not a fan of beef liver in general, other types of liver like chicken, duck, or lamb liver are also great sources of nutrients. And they tend to be mild on the liver flavor.
Remember, liver should be consumed in moderation due to its high levels of certain nutrients like vitamin A, copper, and iron. It's generally recommended that you only eat liver a few times a month.
And if all else fails beef liver supplements are an easy way to incorporate liver into your diet.

We hope we've convinced you to give beef liver a chance. Whether you're looking to boost your immune system, improve your energy levels, or just get more nutrients into your diet, liver is a great way to do it. Happy eating!