Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Fed Beef

A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef

Nutrition Journal

https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-9-10

Grass-based diets can improve the fatty acid (FA) composition of beef and enhance total omega-3 fatty acids. Grass-fed beef is less cholesterol-elevating than grain fed and has palmitic FA's (which are the most common saturated FA's found in animals). Red meat is full of nutrients and an important source of essential amino acids. 30% of FA content is composed of oleic acid, a monounsaturated FA (MUFA) that has a cholesterol-lowering effect and reduces risk of stroke and decreases systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, higher fat grain-fed portions in grain-fed beef can achieve similar intakes of omega-3 FAs.  Direct contrasts between grass and grain rations greatly affect the overall FA profile found in the lipid depots (areas of fat storage) and body tissues. According to data, there is no consistent difference in total saturated fatty acid content between grass and grain fed but the saturated FA's that are considered bad for the body's serum cholesterol levels (one's amount of high-density lipoprotein) were higher in grain-fed beef, so grass-fed beef produces more ideal saturated FA compositions. And despite the fact that grain-fed beef consistently produces higher concentrations of MUFAs than grass-fed, grass-fed beef has a higher concentration of TVA (an important MUFA and potent anti-carcinogen- which inhibits the development of cancer). Grass-fed beef consistently shows higher concentrations of FAs, creating a more favorable omega-6:omega-3 ratio. Overall, grain-fed is not terribly bad for you but grass-fed contains more beneficial omega-3's and substances that affect your overall health in a more positive way.