subject: 5 Top Health Benefits Of Turkey [print this page] Turkey is a cheap, nutritious and tasty meat that has grown in popularity since its introduction to the UK in 1526. It is also an extremely healthy choice and loaded with a number of important nutrients. In this article I will be discussing 5 of the health benefits of turkey in greater detail.
1) HEALTHY GROWTH:- One of the main health benefits of turkey is that it support healthy growth. This nutritious meat contains a massive 30 grams (g) of protein per 100g. Protein's main role in the body is to build, maintain and repair the body's cell. Without protein your body cannot produce new cells and is unable to grow and develop properly.
2) IMPROVED MOOD:- Another health benefit of turkey is that it can boost your mood. The protein found in turkey contains high levels of the amino acid tryptophan which your body can use to produce serotonin. Serotonin is an important hormone which has been shown to improve mood levels and even prevent depression. So if you are feeling a bit down maybe eating turkey could help improve your mood.
3) IMPROVED SLEEP CYCLES:- If you struggle to sleep then you may be interested in this health benefit of turkey. The tryptophan found in this meat has been shown to improve sleep cycles (especially for insomniacs). So if you find it hard to drift off at night, perhaps eating turkey is the answer.
4) PROTECTION FROM CANCER:- Turkey is rich in two key cancer fighting antioxidants. It contains 0.032 milligrams (mg) of selenium (over half the recommended daily allowance (RDA)) and 1.32mg of zinc (a fifth of the RDA). Selenium has been shown to prevent colon cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer whilst zinc has been shown to protect against prostate cancer.
5) STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM:- Another key health benefit of turkey is that it promotes a strong immune system. The selenium in turkey helps your body produce antibodies (organisms which work as part of the immune system to fight disease and infection) whilst the zinc in turkey helps your body produce white blood cells (cells of the immune system which protect the body from disease and infection). So if you are feeling ill make sure you top up on turkey and keep your immune system fighting fit.
SUMMARY
As you can see turkey is much more than just a traditional Christmas dinner meat. There are many health benefits of turkey which protect your body and support vital functions. So make sure that turkey is something you do not eat just once a year over the festive period. Enjoy it as part of a casserole or use it as an ingredient in your salads on a regular basis to unlock these valuable health benefits of turkey throughout the year.
