If
properly cooked, chicken is not only delicious to taste; it is highly
nutritious. This makes it one of the most valued foods among people of all
ages, across the world. It is adaptable, available and reasonably affordable
around the globe. Little wonder, it forms a crucial part of various culinary
traditions.
Nowadays,
chicken is so popular in Nigeria that it is cooked in different ways, either
fried or barbecued or used for making soup in many households.
Many people
prefer chicken to seafood because of its inoffensive taste. Nutritionists say
it is good for the heart because it contains fatty acids, which do not
encourage weight gain – a predisposing factor for coronary heart disease.
Consultant
Nutritionist, Dr. Shola Adebiyi, says that the Omega-3 fatty acid in chicken
reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Adebiyi
states, “Chicken is relatively low in saturated fats, compared to many protein
alternatives, such as red 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 disease, neurological diseases and infections.
“A
part of chicken contains 24 micro-grammes of selenium, which is 44 per cent of
the selenium you need daily. Selenium is an anti-oxidant that activates
vitamins C and E and their ability to fight cancer-promoting free radicals,”
they say.
Many
people are aware of the fact that chicken is one of the richest sources of
protein, but only a few actually know that it is loaded with vitamin B3, B6 and
niacin, nutrients that have been known to boost immunity, protect against
infections and help cell regeneration and rejuvenation.
Experts
highlight that Vitamin B6, which is 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 B-6 intake.”Adebiyi adds.
Here
are some amazing health benefits of eating chicken:
Helps
build muscles
Chicken
is one of the best non-vegetarian sources of protein. It is lean meat, which
means that it contains a good amount of proteins and less amount of fat. A 100g
serving of roasted chicken offers you 31g of protein, which is good for those
who want to build muscles.
Keeps
your bones healthy
Apart
from protein, chicken is rich in several minerals like phosphorus and calcium
that helps to keep bones in mint condition. Also, it has selenium which has
been known to cut risk of arthritis.
Relieves
stress
Chicken
has two nutrients that are great for reducing stress – tryptophan and Vitamin
B5. Both of them have a calming effect on your body and this makes chicken an
excellent option after a stressful day. Also, it tastes great and that adds to
its stress releasing, happiness inducing properties.
Reduces
mentrual symptoms
Magnesium,
a nutrient present in chicken helps soothe symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome
and fights the various mood changes that a woman might experience during her
periods.
Helps
boost testosterone levels
Men
should consume foods rich in zinc as it helps to regulate testosterone levels,
as well as boost sperm production.
Boosts
immunity
Chicken
soup has long been used as a remedy for cold, flu and other common respiratory
infections. The hot steam of chicken soup helps clear nasal and throat
congestion, while the thick fluid coats the throat to prevent invasion of
respiratory linings by microbes to cause infection. A study evaluating this
effect suggested that chicken soup inhibits migration of neutrophils, a type of
immune cells, thereby preventing inflammation during common infections and
boosting immunity.
Finally,
be 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 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.
Source:
Punchng
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