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May 13, 2019
It’s an undisputed fact that chicken tastes heavenly, whether you have it fried, grilled, or roasted. But the taste is not the only thing it has to offer; chicken is also chock full of health benefits. Chicken is known to be rich in a number of essential nutrients that our bodies require like proteins, B vitamins, vitamin A and D, minerals like iron and phosphorous and healthy fats.
Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional value of chicken:
A 100g of edible portion of skinless chicken breast contains:
● Calories- 168 Kcal
● Protein- 21.8gm
● Fats- 9gm
If you’re wondering if eating chicken is healthy for you, here are some of the health benefits it has to offer:
Chicken is one of the best sources of protein
Protein is a nutrient that is made of amino acids that are the essential building blocks of our muscles. Studies have shown that chicken is one of the best sources of high-quality protein that are also needed for the building and maintenance of other structures on the body like the bones and cells along with the breakdown of toxins.
Chicken may act as an antidepressant
Chicken is rich in an amino acid called tryptophan which is responsible for making us feel a sense of relief and comfort. Eating chicken can also increase serotonin levels in your brain, further helping to beat the blues and improve your mood. It’s no wonder that chicken is so often used in recipes for comfort food all over the world.
Chicken may have compounds that help fight diseases
Chicken is also an excellent source of selenium, which is an antioxidant that is believed to have positive effects on degenerative diseases like cardiovascular and neurological disorders as well as inflammatory problems. Selenium is also known to combat cell-damaging free radicals.
Chicken helps to regulate and maintain cholesterol levels
Chicken has plenty of vitamin B3, also known as Niacin, which is responsible for converting carbohydrates to energy and also maintaining healthy body cells. Niacin also helps in lowering
cholesterol levels and the risk of heart diseases in those who have high levels of cholesterol.
Chicken helps to stimulate the body’s metabolic activity
Chicken also contains vitamin B6 or pyridoxine which aids in the metabolic process of proteins and carbohydrates. Without this vitamin, the body’s immune system, nervous system, and metabolism cannot function properly.
While it’s true that eating chicken and Sri Lankan food recipes is healthy for you, make sure you are careful in choosing chicken products from the right source when creating any chicken recipes in Sri Lanka. Also, enjoy chicken that is baked, grilled, roasted, or boiled and not fried as this may only reverse its health benefits.