Pork is one of the most consumed meats in the world with
evidence showing pig husbandry dating back to about 5000BC. Pigs were used for
purposes other than their flesh; their skin for hide, bones as weapons and as
they feed looking for roots and food to eat, they churn up the ground quite a
bit making it easy for the farmer to plough his land. Plus their sensitive
noses are also used in finding underground growing Funghi - Truffles! Pork can be consumed freshly cooked or
preserved – bacon, ham and sausages are an example of preserved pork.
Pork meat is very high in protein and Vitamins B (Thiamine,
niacin, B6 and B12). These vitamins play an active role in your body’s
metabolism and energy production.
Contrary to what most people think, our bodies do need fat. Fat
aids in production of several hormones, provides energy and is essentials in storing
Vitamins such as A, D, E & K and pork has a lot of fat. However, having the fat trimmed off your pork is
highly recommended! Trimmed pork is leaner than most red meats that we eat but it
is much higher in artery - clogging saturated fats and cholesterol.
This can create health risks that previously did not exist
or add on to those that do. If you suffer from chronic diseases such as asthma,
diabetes, osteoporosis or you suffer from certain heart conditions, you must
consume leaner cuts such as Tenderloin, Loin chops and Sirloin roasts. They
still contain the flavor you seek while being lower in calories too.
Extremely crowded conditions that have poor ventilation
shafts are not ideal conditions in which to breed pigs, however, this is how
most of our pig farms look like. You should then be careful in choosing where
you get your pork from. Pork may contain a species of the roundworm called the Trichina
worm that causes the disease known as Trichinosis. Infection has however significantly
reduced over the years. Pork also may
contain hookworms, pinworms and tapeworms. If not cooked carefully, these worms
can transplant themselves into your intestines from the pig. Swine to human
infection has happened – the H1N1 virus is an example.
Pork therefore needs to be cooked very carefully before
consumption to kill these worms. It has also been suggested that you could
freeze your pork before cooking it to kill the worms. Pigs also have a very
fast digestive system and no sweat glands. This combination does not allow the
body to release toxins through sweating nor does it’s fast system give the pigs
body enough time to sift the toxins from the food consumed, thus are just
stored with everything else in its fatty tissues. Even after cooking, if the
pork is left exposed for too long, it can get re- contaminated.
How you cook your Pork determines how healthy you are eating.
Always go grilled over fried when it comes to meat in general. As mentioned
above, pork contains a lot of fat so you need to use very little oil or none at
all while cooking it.
