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Ask The Nutritionist - Raw Offal

Can humans consume raw meat such as liver, kidney or heart?

Eating raw meat isn’t something that most health experts would recommend. In fact, the Food Standards Agency recommends that liver, kidney and other types of offal should be cooked thoroughly until they are piping hot all the way through. Cooking offal properly will help to destroy any harmful bacteria that could make you unwell. But just as importantly, it helps to improve the taste and texture of meat so that it’s more enjoyable to eat.

Offal contains many different nutrients and so can make an important contribution to a healthy, balanced diet. In particular, it’s a rich source of protein needed for the growth and repair of cells in the body. It also contains many different vitamins and minerals. In particular, liver, heart and kidney are important sources of iron, a nutrient that’s needed for healthy blood. For example, a 100g serving of fried lamb’s liver provides 10.9g iron – that’s 74 percent of the daily amount needed by pre-menopausal women. Offal also contains good amounts of B vitamins, which help to release energy from food and are needed for healthy blood and a healthy nervous system. Liver is also very rich in vitamin A, an important nutrient for growth, reproduction, immunity and healthy skin, hair and eyes. However, too much vitamin A can build up in the body and be harmful to a developing baby. As a result, the Food Standards Agency recommends that pregnant women and women planning a baby avoid eating liver or foods that contain liver such as liver pâté. They should also avoid taking supplements that contain vitamin A.

Meanwhile, although it’s far less popular than red meat such as beef, lamb and pork, offal is incredibly tasty. Just remember to cook it thoroughly!

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