Oxtail is a rare piece of meat that is considered a delicacy across the globe. It contains a few pounds of meat, bone, and some cartilage. It is generally more expensive at restaurants when compared to other meat dishes. But is oxtail healthy? We did some digging and found information on this subject we would like to share in this article.
It is safe to say that this food is rich in protein and minerals, but it is also high in cholesterol and fats, which is why eating it sparingly is a way to go. However, there is much more to oxtail than just this, and we will go in-depth on this subject and touch on the nutritive value each serving delivers to your body. So read on if you want to find out more about this delicious piece of meat.
Contents
What Exactly Is Oxtail?
Oxtail is a cut of meat that comes from the tail of a cow. It has a cylindrical shape and consists of a small amount of meat convened around the tailbone and a fat layer. The whole oxtail typically weighs between five and seven pounds, and it is commonly cut into small pieces for sale.
This is a uniquely nutrient-rich cut of beef as it offers meat alongside fat and bone that are a good source of bone marrow and gelatinous collagen, and connective tissues.
Is Oxtail a Healthy Dish?
The short answer is yes, oxtail is indeed a healthy dish. It is jam-packed with protein, iron, and collagen, making it an excellent cut of meat. Moreover, when you boil this dish, the marrow and bones release nutrients like calcium and magnesium that are essential for your health and well-being.
When oxtail is cooked in the form of broth, its nutrition and health benefits enhance even further. The bottom line is that oxtail is a delicious type of meat that delivers various health benefits to your body.
Calories and Nutritive Facts
One serving of oxtail with bone, on average, runs 296 calories, and it consists of 35 grams of protein and 16 grams of fat. Since it has high amounts of fat, it can be made into a high-fat and high-calorie dish if you do not pay attention to the portion size, which is very important if you are on a weight loss diet.
Benefits of Collagen in Oxtail
Oxtail is a dish that bears a number of health benefits for your body and contributes to your overall well-being. Here are some of the key advantages of eating this delicious meal that is rich in collagen.
1. It Contributes to the Health of the Skin, Hair, and Nails
Oxtail is a natural collagen source, and collagen can be found in skin, hair, and nail products for a reason. It helps maintain skin elasticity and aids in moisture retention. Moreover, collagen makes up more than 25 percent of the protein in your body and acts like a structural frame due to its strength.
2. Vascular and Heart Health
Since our entire vascular system is made up of toughened connective tissues, increasing your collagen intake keeps the tissue in your vascular system walls strong and pliable.
3. It Strengthens Joint and Connective Tissue
Collagen is very important in stimulating osteoblast activity, protecting and lubricating your bones and joints, as well as speeding up the healing process for fractures and broken bones.
4. It Improves Your Sleep
Taking a bit of collagen-rich broth before going to bed is not just a random tale. Various studies have shown that just 3 grams of glycine taken before going to bed can improve the quality of sleep.
5. It Can Treat Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
Collagen plays a very important role in the reduction of the symptoms of osteoarthritis. The research in 2006 by the University of Illinois College of Medicine showed that collagen showed a significant reduction of pain caused by osteoarthritis.
Additional Health Benefits of Oxtail
Given the nutrient content of oxtail, it does not come as a surprise that it offers a wide variety of health benefits and that it is such a beloved cut of meat across numerous cuisines. Here are some additional benefits that oxtail offers.
It Is an Excellent Source of Protein
A serving of oxtail offers an excellent amount of protein. An ounce of oxtail contains roughly 9 grams of pure protein from the meat and the bone marrow too. As you probably know, protein is a cornerstone of any healthy diet, which is why you should consider implementing it in your.
It Is High in Calcium
An ounce of oxtail offers about 7 milligrams of calcium, which is highly important for bone health.
Oxtail Is a Great Source of Iron
A single serving of oxtail offers 3.6 milligrams of iron, which is a whopping 20 percent of the recommended daily requirement.
Potential Risk of Eating Oxtail
As with any red meat, oxtail is high in cholesterol and saturated fats. These fats can raise levels of LDL cholesterol, so it is best to eat oxtail sparingly, especially if you have any cardiac condition.
How to Make Oxtail Serving Healthy Every Time
In order to make an oxtail dish healthy every time you cook it, it is important to exercise the right cooking methods and choose the ingredients with which you will serve the dish carefully. Since it is already calorie dense and high in fat, it is best to serve it with lower-calorie ingredients.
Limit High-Calorie Ingredients
Serve this dish with a side of rice or stew it in pasta. Make sure to portion rice or pasta noodles carefully. This method will make a single portion of between 150 and 200 calories, which is a solid amount to get you full and not too much to overfeed you.
Simmer in Low Heat to Create a Stew
When you cook oxtail for a longer period, you will be able to extract nutrients from the bones without the need to use high-calorie ingredients. Eat it the next day to get rich beef stock with even more flavor.
Use Low-Calorie Seasonings
Black pepper, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, and tomato paste are just some of the popular low-calorie options that can enhance the flavor of your oxtail dish. Since oxtail already has a high amount of fat content, it is wise to limit the usage of oil and butter.
Final Words
Oxtail is a true delicacy when prepared the right way, and it can deliver a number of health benefits, making it an excellent addition to your diet. However, it would help if you were mindful of the fact that it is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, so consume it moderately.
Steve is a certified trainer with more than 10 years of training experience and he holds a Master’s in Sports Science. Prior to Boston Rock Gym, Steve worked for two years as a personal trainer.