Grass fed beef benefits us and the planet, according to research

Experts are always searching for ways to protect the planet while benefitting us in the process, but often have to compromise one for the other. However, new research suggests that grass fed beef is the solution to both. It is thought that cows which are raised solely on grass provide much healthier meat for human consumption.

One of the substances which plays an important part in both physical and mental health is the fatty acid Omega 3. This acid has been found to be higher in grass fed beef. Not only is it healthier in this aspect, grass fed beef is also found to have as much as a third less saturated fat than grain fed beef.

The National Trust reported these findings on the content of grass fed beef when it published its environmental report on rearing cattle on grass. It was suggested before the report that raising the animals on grain or cereal was preferred because the levels of methane are particularly high when cows are reared on grass. However, the study by the trust found that the reality is actually the opposite and that rearing cattle on grass is both environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Since fields of grass have become important for a range of services like biodiversity, carbon capture and water resources, allowing livestock to graze actually helps with the services’ maintenance and turns the grass into something humans can also eat and benefit from.