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Who else loooove chicken? Let me share with you a few interesting facts and health benefits of chicken.
- The first shocking fact about chicken is that it was probably first domesticated for cockfights, not as food.
- Chickens were domesticated in Southern China in 6000 B.C.
- There’s a mushroom, Laetiporus sulphureus that tastes like chicken. Due to its taste has been called the chicken polypore and chicken-of-the-woods.
- Chickens can recognize over 100 faces, places, and different members of their flock, even after months apart.
- It was the first bird to have its genome sequenced, in 2004.
- Recent studies have shown that chickens are intelligent creatures with many traits similar to those of primates. Chickens demonstrate complex problem-solving skills, comprehend cause and effect, pass on their knowledge, demonstrate self-control, and even worry.
- Chicken is the most common type of poultry in the world. There is significant variation in cooking methods amongst cultures. Historically common methods include roasting, baking, and frying.
Chicken has well-documented health benefits and makes a fantastic substitute for red meats. Here’s how chicken powers your body:
5 Health Benefits of Chicken
High-Quality Protein
Protein helps your body to maintain muscle mass and also helps you to build muscle. A 100g serving of roasted chicken offers you 27g of protein and zero grams of carbohydrates. Check its full nutritional value: USDA FoodData Central.
Rich in Vitamins & Minerals
Chicken is also very rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Vitamin B3 (niacin): According to the Linus Pauling Institute for Micronutrient Research, Vitamin B3 is necessary for energy metabolism, manufacturing cholesterol, and fatty acids.
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and tryptophan together have a calming effect on your body and this makes chicken an excellent option after a stressful day. Tryptophan has been linked to higher levels of serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone. Eating chicken won´t make you feel instantly euphoric, but studies show it could help to boost serotonin levels.
- Vitamin B6 is needed for the synthesis of neurotransmitters, it is essential for converting stored energy (from glycogen to glucose), and helps to break down proteins.
- Vitamin B12 and choline together promote brain development in children, help the nervous system function properly and aid cognitive performance in older adults.
- Vitamin D helps in calcium absorption and bone strengthening. Chicken is rich in phosphorus and calcium, which keep bones in mint condition. Also, it has selenium which has been known to cut the risk of arthritis.
- Vitamin A helps in building eyesight and minerals such as iron are helpful in hemoglobin formation, muscle activity, and eliminating anemia.
- Potassium and sodium are electrolytes that aid in fluid balance.
- Magnesium helps soothe symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome.
- Zinc helps regulate testosterone levels and boost sperm production.
Control of Blood Pressure
What you eat is very important in reducing blood pressure (hypertension). Chicken consumption has been found to be useful in controlling blood pressure. This was observed in people with hypertension, though the diet was also comprised of nuts, low-fat dietary products, vegetables, and fruits.
Researchers in Japan conducted a study to see if collagen – a protein found in chicken legs – could be broken up by the stomach into smaller proteins that lower blood pressure. The results suggest that chicken collagen hydrolysate (CCH) exerted modulatory effects on the human circulation system.
Reduces Cholesterol
In recent years, the focus has shifted from how much cholesterol a food contains to how much-saturated fat that food has. The more saturated fats you eat, the more LDL cholesterol your body makes.
The amount of saturated fat and cholesterol found in red meat is higher than the levels found in chicken. Therefore, the American Heart Association has advised consuming chicken (or fish) instead of red meat for a lowered risk of cholesterol. However, the AHA also says that chicken must be limited to normal levels, as excessive consumption can also lead to the development of heart disease.
Balances Cortisol Hormones
Consuming chicken can balance cortisol hormones in your body. Imbalanced cortisol hormones could in increased stressed levels. This mainly happens due to improper functioning of the adrenal gland. Read All you need to know about cortisol.
And now, what you came here for, 30 healthy chicken recipes! You can print them, save them as PDF… all or just the ones you like the most.
