Is Wagyu Beef Healthy? How Wagyu’s Health Benefits Stack Up Against Other Beef
There’s something special about having a beautiful cut of beef as the centerpiece of your meal. Whether your preferred sides are roasted potatoes, grilled asparagus, rice pilaf, or even seared scallops to add some surf to your turf, nothing can replace the luscious umami flavor premium beef. But you can’t have just any beef as the headliner of your dining event. If you’re a beef lover, you know that one type of cattle stands heads and shoulders above the rest – wagyu. At Hall Farmstead, we’re dedicated to providing a luxurious dining experience by offering the best Japanese American wagyu beef in the United States.
The quality of Hall Farmstead wagyu beef reflects the time and effort we put into consistently raising cattle that are well-fed and hydrated on vast pastures. The result is beef that offers deep flavors, succulent juiciness, and exceptional tenderness that will bring your tastebuds to life. To ensure that each cut of our wagyu beef meets your expectations, we spent an extensive amount of time researching and taste-testing various types of Japanese wagyu, finally selecting Japanese Akaushi Wagyu cattle. Our 15/16 Akaushi cattle takes quality far beyond the 50/50 ratio of typical American wagyu. The distinctive marbling of Akaushi cattle alone makes our wagyu beef worth the price.
There’s no doubt that Hall Farmstead Japanese American wagyu produces a top-notch dining experience when compared to other beef options. Whether you choose to sear, grill, pan-fry, or slow-roast our meat, you can’t go wrong with our amazing options. Speaking of amazing, did you know that wagyu beef offers just as many health benefits as it does exceptional flavor? Keep reading to learn more.
Wagyu beef is high in essential fatty acids
Though red meat, and particularly beef, is sometimes negatively associated with different health risks, a recent study has revealed that the high fat content in wagyu beef can provide phenomenal nutritional benefits.
The marbling in wagyu beef has more monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) due to greater amounts of oleic acid. MUFAs have been associated with improvements in blood vessel function, insulin levels, and blood sugar control. In addition to wagyu beef, higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids are found in food items like avocados, almonds, macadamias, olives, olive oil, cashews, and nut butters, which are all great for the body.
Consuming wagyu beef may lower LDL cholesterol
Just as the fatty acid composition of wagyu meat can play a role in improving insulin levels and blood sugar control, the fatty acids in this delicacy can also help improve cholesterol levels. To better understand how wagyu beef can help cholesterol, here is a look at the two lipoproteins that carry cholesterol through the body:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, LDL is the majority of cholesterol found in the body. The reason LDL is labeled as “bad” is that it has been more closely associated with stroke and heart disease.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL): Known as “good” cholesterol, HDL absorbs cholesterol in the blood to ensure it is properly eliminated from the body. Higher levels of HDL have been associated with a reduced likelihood of stroke and heart disease.
Research has shown that fatty acids in wagyu beef can help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. Wagyu has also been revealed to contain lower cholesterol levels than meats like chicken and fish. Amazing, right?
Beef from wagyu cattle can improve heart health
You might be aware that red meat consumption has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. But did you know that wagyu is not one of the red meats negatively associated with heart disease? The answer is found in MUFAs.
As previously noted, wagyu beef is high in monounsaturated fatty acids and these MUFAs are said to reduce the risk of heart disease. Lower levels of cholesterol in wagyu can also help lower the risk of heart disease. When you increase your intake of monounsaturated fats, you can lower your triglycerides and blood cholesterol, which help improve overall heart health.
It’s good to note that a diet that incorporates MUFAs can also lower blood pressure, particularly when this fatty acid is used to replace saturated fats.
Additional health benefits of wagyu
In addition to enjoying the benefits of essential fatty acids and the possibility of lowering your cholesterol and improving your heart health when consuming wagyu, you could experience additional health benefits by dining on this delectable meat:
- Brain health support: The marbling in wagyu is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to the support of blood flow in the brain. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help maintain memory and even lower the risk of dementia.
- Vision support: Omega-3s, whether consumed in foods like wagyu beef or as a supplement, have been associated with a reduction in the risk of glaucoma and dry eyes.
- Reduced inflammation: While inflammation in the body is important for fighting infections, continuous inflammation could contribute to heart disease and obesity. Foods high in MUFAs like wagyu are said to reduce inflammation and could even contribute to weight loss.
Like most beef, wagyu is packed with protein and iron and is also a fantastic source of niacin, zinc, phosphorus, and vitamins B6, B12, and K2. Wagyu undoubtedly offers the best combination of nutrition and flavor that beef has to offer.
Comparing wagyu to other types of beef
If you are a red meat connoisseur, you’ve probably eaten a variety of tasty steaks and other types of beef over your lifetime. Whether you’ve eaten juicy brisket, savory sirloin burgers, flavorful pot roast, tender filet mignon, or meaty spare ribs, there’s no doubt that beef can enhance just about any meal.
But no matter the type of beef you’ve enjoyed over the years, there’s something special about wagyu beef. Some believe it comes down to the care given to properly selecting, feeding, and caring for the cattle that makes a major difference in the quality of meat you’ll enjoy. Here is what makes wagyu different from the rest:
Superior marbling
The copious amounts of intramuscular marbling throughout wagyu ensures that this beef is far more tender, juicy, and flavorful than its counterparts. Since wagyu has some of the highest marbling levels of all beef, you’re sure to enjoy an amazingly mouth-watering experience each time you dine.
Unique taste
The marbling in wagyu provides a richer, more buttery flavor. In fact, some say that wagyu has hints of sweetness, bitterness, saltiness, and even a bit of sour flavor, similar to umami. There’s no doubt that wagyu beef gives tastebuds a more complex and layered flavor than can be experienced with standard American beef options.
Lower melting point
Wagyu has one of the lowest melting points for beef – in fact, it’s exquisitely low. When preparing wagyu, you’ll need to do so more precisely than you might for standard American beef. While this might feel unfamiliar initially, the outcome will be the most tender cut of meat you’ve had in a long time – or possibly ever!
Greater health benefits
Of course, consuming wagyu is not only the tastier choice but also a healthier option when compared to other beef. The essential fatty acids found in the marbling of wagyu beef along with the meat’s protein, iron, vitamins, and minerals could help improve cholesterol, blood pressure, heart and brain health, vision, and more.
It’s important to note that while wagyu is tastier and even healthier than most other types of beef, the high amount of fat means that you’re taking in more calories per serving. If caloric intake is a dietary concern, it’s good to work with a physician to ensure that the amount of wagyu consumed falls within personal dietary guidelines.
Enjoy a superior dining experience
At Hall Farmstead, we are dedicated to ensuring that each cut of wagyu beef you prepare meets your standards of quality and flavor. Our Akaushi cattle feed on homegrown grain that has been developed with top Japanese and U.S. nutritionists and harvested and stored on our properties. This dedication to the best feed helps to ensure that your wagyu beef offers peak marbling and tenderness. We also make sure that our farmland is as similar to the landscape of Akaushi in as many ways as possible. And our cattle are all DNA tested to maximize the quality of our wagyu.
Take advantage of the amazing health benefits and superior taste of Hall Farmstead wagyu beef. Place a one-time order for our top-notch wagyu, or sign up for a subscription to enjoy even more wagyu in our exclusive cuts. Experience juicy, flavorful, tender meat that may even help promote good health by getting your hands on the best Japanese American wagyu available.