When many people enjoy dishes like pork belly or boiled pork, it's common practice to remove the skin. This is often because pork skin is perceived as fatty and potentially harmful to health. However, pork skin surprisingly contains a variety of nutrients.
Nutritional Components of Pork Skin
Pork skin is rich in 'Vitamin F,' which includes alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid. These unsaturated fatty acids are essential components of brain and nerve tissues. Approximately 57% of pork fat consists of unsaturated fatty acids, which is even higher than the approximately 47% found in beef fat. Unsaturated fatty acids help maintain cell flexibility and reduce inflammation, positively affecting hair and skin health as well.
Detoxification Effects
According to some studies, pork skin may be effective in detoxifying heavy metals. Analyzing the process of unsaturated fatty acids in pork combining with harmful substances accumulated within the body, it's found that they are expelled from the body.
Precautions
However, excessive consumption, despite its beneficial components, can be detrimental to health. While approximately 57% of pork fat is unsaturated fatty acids, about 38% is saturated fatty acids. Overconsumption can elevate blood cholesterol levels and have negative impacts on vascular health.
Recommended Intake and Alternatives
If you still want to indulge in cuts with a lot of skin, like pork belly, it's advisable to limit consumption to 1-2 times a week or less. Additionally, it's recommended to limit the serving size to 200g or less. When consuming pork, opting for cuts with less fat, such as loin or ham, is preferable over pork belly.
Pork skin contains various nutrients, but maintaining moderation is crucial. Excessive consumption can have adverse effects on health, so it's important to adhere to appropriate intake levels even when enjoying dishes like pork belly. Considering the fat content when choosing pork can contribute to better health.
