ANS 460 EXTRA CREDIT ALYSSA FITZPATRICK

Ground beef from grass-fed and grain-fed cattle: Does it

matter?

Background

Research conducted by Stephen B. Smith, Ph.D.

Regents Professor, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University

Published more than 180 scientific pork & beef articles

2 research studies published Comparing risk factors for CVD and type II

diabetes

Research

Americans consume 40% of their total beef intake as ground beef

Ground beef is an important source of oleic acid Grass-fed ground beef contains more omega-3 fatty acids

than grain-fed ground beef, but it is higher in saturated and trans fat

Premium ground beef is very high in oleic acid and much lower in saturated and trans-fat than from grass-fed cattle

Comparisons

Omega-3 fattyacids

Oleic acid

Total saturated

and trans-fat

Ground beef fromgrass-fed (grazingon native Texaspasture)

0.055 grams

6.3 grams

9.8 grams

Ground beef fromgrain-fed cattle(fed a feedlotdiet containingprimarily cornand milo)

0.020 grams

8.3 grams

8.2 grams

• The most abundant omega-3 fatty acid in foods is α-linolenic acid (ALA)

• Daily reference intake: 1.1 g for women & 1.6 g for men

• ALA may slow the rate of cancer cell growth & reduce risk factors for CVD

• Ground beef from grain-fed cattle increases HDL-cholesterol

• Grass feeding does not increase the amount of oleic acid

• Grass fed beef costs $2 more per pound on average

Conclusion

At this point, there is no scientific evidence to support the claims that ground beef from grass-fed cattle is a healthier alternative to ground beef from grain-fed cattle

Sources

Stephen B. Smith, Ph.D. "Department of Animal Science." Ground Beef from Grass-fed and Grain-fed Cattle: Does It Matter? «. Texas A&M University - Department of Animal Science, 7 Dec. 2013. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. <http://animalscience.tamu.edu/2013/12/07/ground-beef-from-grass-fed-and-grain-fed-cattle-does-it-matter/>.