Grass-fed beef may not have as many healthful traits as some perceive, according to results from a recent Texas AgriLife Research study.
A team of researchers led by Stephen Smith, an AgriLife Research meat scientist, found that, contrary to popular perception, ground beef from pasture-fed cattle had no beneficial effects on plasma lipid. However, ground beef from grain-fed cattle increased HDL cholesterol, increased LDL particle diameters and decreased insulin, suggesting that ground beef produced by intensive production practices provides “a healthful, high-quality source of protein,” says Smith.
"We wanted to see from this study if product from pasture-fed and corn-fed cattle had different effects on LDL or HDL cholesterol," he says. "We looked at the scientific literature and could not find any justifications for the statement that pasture-fed beef is better for you. All we found were rat studies in which they were fed omega-3 fatty acids, so we wanted to know if this applied to beef from grass-fed cattle."
The study, funded by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, used Angus cattle. One group of cattle was fed a pasture diet with supplemental hay. The steers were kept on pasture until 20 months of age. A second group of Angus steers was kept on a corn-based diet until 16 months of age, reaching USDA Choice status. A third group was fed the corn-based diet the longest, until reaching USDA Prime. The fat in cattle that are high in marbling is low in saturated and trans-fats, and higher in monounsaturated fats.
Beef cuts from all three grades were made into a ground beef product, containing 24% fat.
Next, a group of 27 men completed a three-way crossover study. Each group rotated, consuming five 114-gram ground beef patties per week for six weeks from each of the three sets of cattle used in the study.
"There really were no negative effects of feeding ground beef from the pasture-fed cattle," Smith says. "We did see many positive effects in men that consumed ground beef from corn-fed cattle. The ground beef from the USDA Prime cattle increased HDL cholesterol and LDL particle diameter. Both effects are protective against cardiovascular disease. The Prime ground beef also decreased insulin, so it may have some protective effect against type II diabetes."
Smith says the study results surprised many. "As we talked to some user groups and told them that we had found pasture-fed beef is higher in saturated trans-fat, they were shocked.
"I know that cattle are adapted to growing on high-roughage, pasture diets, but my focus is the beef product," he adds. "A lot of producers are receptive. What I’m trying to show them is that the longer cattle are fed a corn- or grain-based diet, the healthier the product will be. I realize cost is involved – feeding corn is expensive. But, if you want a healthier product, you need more marbling. Time on feed is a big factor."