THE BENEFITS OF IBÉRICO HAM
Iberian ham is one of the greatest treasures of Spanish gastronomy and one of the most appreciated gourmet products. Its presence is unequalled: fine cane, Pata Negra ham, red lean, its infiltrated fat and very juicy bacon stand out. Its high levels of oleic acid provided by the acorn ensure its tenderness and palatability, but also give it properties that make it one of the healthiest foods in the Mediterranean diet and a heart-healthy product.
NUTRITIONAL CONTRIBUTION OF IBERIAN HAM
Acorn-fed Ibérico Jamón Ibérico, as well as being a unique gourmet product, is a very complete food from the point of view of its nutritional value; perfect to include in any type of diet. Contrary to popular belief, Iberian Ham is not fattening when consumed in moderation. The fat of the Iberian Pig produced in "montanera" is characterised by a high oleic acid content (around 55-65%), due to a natural diet based on acorns, which are rich in oleic acid as is the olive tree. The consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid, improves and strengthens the endothelium, which is the tissue that protects the arteries of the human body and whose inflammation is to blame for most cardiovascular diseases.
Iberian ham provides protein, vitamins B1, B6, B12 and folic acid, necessary for the brain to function properly. It is also rich in vitamin E (antioxidant) and minerals such as copper, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and selenium.
A lack of these vitamins can cause health problems such as tiredness, heaviness, lack of appetite and reduced protection of the immune system.
BENEFITS OF EATING IBERIAN HAM ON A DAILY BASIS
If at this point you are still not sufficiently convinced, here are some of the benefits of eating Iberian Ham on a daily basis, as well as being a pleasure, it is also highly healthy:
- Prevention of cardiovascular diseases: As we have seen above, the high content of oleic acid and natural tocopherols provided by acorns help to prevent cardiovascular diseases, as they contribute to reduce the levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and improve the level of HDL (good cholesterol).
- Reduction of fatigue in sportsmen and women: Moderate consumption of Iberian Acorn-fed Acorn-fed Ham provides a high protein intake, with a balanced lipid profile and moderate calories. Consuming 100 grams of the product provides 34 grams of protein, making it a perfect food for gaining muscle mass and a perfect substitute for other less healthy red meats.
- Prevention of anaemia: Iberian ham has a high iron content, ideal for providing your body with this trace element that is vital for our health.
- Reduction of anxiety and stress: Thanks to its high levels of tryptophan (amino acid precursor of serotonin), Iberian Ham acts as a natural antidepressant. Its consumption helps to combat stress and reduce anxiety with a beneficial effect on our state of mind.
WHAT ABOUT FAT AND SALT?
Many people say that ham is fattening because of its fat, but Iberian ham has monounsaturated fat. Therefore, it increases good cholesterol levels and decreases bad cholesterol. Ham barely provides 250 kilocalories per 100 grams, so there is no reason to eliminate it from our diet.
It is true that it contains salt due to the salting process, but not in greater quantities than many other foods. In fact, several studies have shown that it can lower blood pressure and reduce blood clotting problems. However, the recommendation is not to exceed 100 grams a day.