9 Surprising Health Benefits of Bison

Bison is considered a lean meat. According to the USDA, 100 grams of beef has 291 calories and 24 grams of fat. The same amount of lean bison meat has about 109 calories and only two grams of fat. With fewer calories and fat, a sirloin cut of bison also has less cholesterol compared to traditional domestic beef. Bison have a different muscle structure than other animals, but they also do not undergo the marbling effect where fat is stored in beef, which adds to the high-calorie count and lower nutritional value. Bison meat is a great source of lean protein.

B vitamins like niacin and vitamin B2 are in bison meat. They are ideal for physical and mental health. Eating bison can help convert nutrients into usable energy. If you feel sluggish during the day, especially after you eat, you should try a protein that will increase your energy levels like bison meat. B vitamins not only energize the body, but they support metabolic functions within the body.

Besides jumpstarting your energy, B vitamins help with other areas of health including your hair and skin. Bison is packed with riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. They are ideal for glowing, radiant skin and strong, healthy hair. The antioxidants in bison will also shield your skin from damaging free radicals.

Did you know that bison contains twice as much beta-carotene as meats that come from strictly grain-fed animals? The high amount of beta-carotene along with other levels of minerals and vitamins means that bison can help with eye conditions. Beta-carotene promotes healthy eyes and helps protect against diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

Eating bison is a great way to boost your immune system. It is packed with zinc, which is essential for proper immune and cellular functioning. Zinc is linked to repairing tissues throughout the body. It is also ideal for rejuvenating hair and skin cells, as we already mentioned.

Selenium, which is found in bison meat, has several benefits. It works as an antioxidant by preventing free radicals and oxidative stress from causing cellular damage and speeding up the aging process. Inflammation and its side effects are increased when your body does not consume enough selenium. If you add bison into your diet, you can fight inflammation.

In April 2013, Nutrition Research published a study that linked bison to a healthy heart. You lower your chance of developing clogged arteries when you eat bison instead of beef. Your triglyceride levels do not increase as much when you eat bison compared to traditional hamburger meat. These factors point to a healthy heart thanks to bison.

Grass-fed bison have a high source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. They also have a significant amount of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is a fat blocker. CLA also works as an anti-carcinogen. This means, consuming bison can help lower your risk of certain types of cancers including breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.

Bison meat is an excellent source of iron. It has a higher amount than beef or poultry, which is why the meat itself is so red in color. If you deal with iron deficiency, you should try bison to prevent anemia. Iron from animal products absorbs better than iron from plant foods. Therefore, you should not experience anemic symptoms such as low energy.