Is it healthy to consume Iberian ham?

It may not be clear to you at this point how much is true in the statements ensuring that Iberico Ham is a healthy product. That is why today, we give you some information to end those doubts, and that you can enjoy this food without feeling guilty. Let’s start!

Iberian ham is a source of animal fats. You shouldn’t worry: we are dealing with good animal fats. And it is that, the Iberian pig or rather its fats, have more than 55% of oleic acid (monounsaturated). What does this mean? These fats, as it has been shown through different scientific studies, produce a beneficial effect on blood cholesterol, increasing the beneficial cholesterol (HDL) and reducing the harmful one (LDL). We are facing a heart-healthy food, only surpassed in properties by our virgin olive oil.

Provides with vitamins. Yes. Among them: B1, B6, B12 and folic acid, (beneficial for the nervous system and the correct functioning of the brain). It also has a high content of vitamin E, (which is a powerful antioxidant), and, in addition, it contains minerals such as copper, (essential for bones and cartilage), or calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and selenium, involved in the fight against aging.

It is an excellent substitute for red meat, as far as protein contributions are concerned. 100 grams of Ham contain 43 grams of protein more or less, and provide less than 250 kcal.

And so? Is there nothing negative in terms of Iberian ham consumption? If there is, we find its Achilles tendon, in the salt. The WHO recommends consuming a maximum of 5 grams of salt a day to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. And the ham has salt, in fact, it is an element that cannot be dispensed with during its elaboration, and also acts as a flavor enhancer. The key, therefore, as always, is in moderation or balance.

Even so, you should bear in mind that we are talking about the same levels of salt that Roquefort cheese or olives, for example, and, even so, it would still be less salty than Serrano Ham (5%), that of Bayonne (5.5%) or that of Parma (5.7%).

We hope, as always, to have helped to resolve your doubts. You already know that, if you have any questions about the Iberian world, you can contact us… We will be enjoying good and healthy Iberian ham.

See you next time!