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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Beefing Up Your Brain Power Beef Jerky Is Good For Your Mind

By Rick Dupont

Beef jerky in its many guises across the globe is often seen as no more than a tasty, if not somewhat unhealthy treat. To suggest that beef jerky is good for the mind is sure to elicit a storm of protest from many health conscious red meat detractors. The truth is a little more complex though, and this desiccated delight is often unfairly maligned.

Jerky is fairly light, keeps well and packs a lot of protein punch so its popularity as saddle bag or wagon grub box fare for gritty ground breakers ranging from North American frontiersmen to South African Boer Commandos is understandable.

More people are looking at the many qualities of beef jerky today, it is a source of very high protein and it great to help dieters trim down and body builders bulk up.

When it comes to all round value in food types, beef is hard to beat. It is arguably one of the most abundant sources of minerals, vitamins and body boosting protein available. The good health watch dogs claim, however, that the salt, preservatives and fat in jerky rates it right up there with the plague. So how does beef jerky fare as a brain food then?

So how is beef jerky good for your mind? Almost all of our bodily functions rely on messages transmitted between the neurons in our brains. This process is facilitated by chemicals known as neurotransmitters. The body's production of these chemicals is largely reliant on amino acids present in protein rich foods.

These messengers are made up of amino acids that are commonly found in protein rich foods. These neurotransmitters are critical to a host of essential brain functions and excesses or deficiencies are at the root of afflictions such as clinical depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.

The high protein content of beef is thus beneficial in the process of neurotransmitter production and can promote good brain health. Beef is not the only rich source of protein, but is certainly one of the most abundant sources of really high quality protein available.

Other important components of a healthy brain are vitamins and minerals. They promote growth and development of the brain and play an essential role in producing energy which is a crucial part of neurological activity.

So what of all the bad stuff. Well, as with most food stuffs, conscientious consumer habits go a long way to ensuring that the products we buy are as fat, salt and preservative free as possible. Making beef jerky at home using lean cuts is also an effective way of keeping the end product healthier.

So, beef jerky is good for the mind and, if one tries to buy jerky that is low in salt and preservatives, poses no serious health risks. As a snack, lunch box treat or part of your hiking or camping rations, beef jerky is a delicious and healthy, brain boosting delight. - 17273

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