Goat meat is the most popular of all variants of red meat consumed worldwide, it accounts for 65% of the total red meat consumed all over the world.
Many countries in West Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia consume goat meat as a staple food choice. It is also a popular choice of meat in the Caribbean and tropical regions.
Goat meat has an array of essential nutrients that are important for our growth and development. The potential health benefits associated with goat meat are:
Presence of quality proteins
Goat meat is a rich source of proteins which helps in maintaining muscular health. The essential amino acid profile of goat meat resembles that of chicken, beef and pork. Since goat meat is lean meat, it provides all the essential amino acids without adding up unnecessary calories, unlike other sources of meat.
Low in calories
The total calories associated with consumption of 100 g of goat meat are 122; whereas the same portion of chicken has 162 calories, beef 178 calories, and pork 180 calories. Therefore, consuming goat meat helps in regulating weight and prevents obesity. Goat meat also reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases that are associated with obesity.
Low level of cholesterol and saturated fats
The total amount of cholesterol present in 100 gram of goat meat is less than 1 gram. Goat meat has low saturated fat and high unsaturated fat values. Consuming low cholesterol reduces the risk of developing heart disease, such as coronary artery disease. The consumption of unsaturated fats increases the level of HDL (good cholesterol) in blood, essential for a healthy heart.
Rich source of dietary potassium
Goat meat is rich in dietary potassium; 100 g of goat meat has about 385 mg of potassium. The potassium content of goat meat is good for maintaining correct blood pressure. Potassium has a role in stabilizing heart rhythms too. Hence, it reduces the risk of developing rhythm disorders of the heart.
Low levels of dietary sodium
Goat meat is low in sodium content when compared to chicken and beef. 100 gram of goat meat has only 82 mg of sodium. Therefore, consuming goat meat reduces the risk of developing hypertension. The dietary intake of sodium should not exceed 2,300 mg in a day as a high level of sodium in blood can cause hypertension.
Rich source of dietary iron
Goat meat is a red meat, which means that it has high myoglobin content. Meats rich in myoglobin offers higher level of dietary iron and improve blood health. There are about 3 mg of dietary iron present in 100 g of goat meat. Goat meat can reduce the risk of developing iron deficiency anemia.
Presence of vitamin B12 and other micronutrients
Goat meat has micronutrients, such as vitamin B12, selenium, and choline, which are powerful antioxidants that reduce the risk of developing cancers. Hence, goat meat is a known source of lean protein. There are many health benefits associated with its consumption.