4 Reasons To Slow Cook Your Meat

In the modern world, faster is always better. Faster internet, faster delivery, faster commutes. But when it comes to nutrition, faster is NOT always better. In fact, the relationship between speed and nutrition is often negatively correlated.

Case in point: Fast food. Get your food in under 2 minutes… as long as you have a loose definition of what food is.

To get the most out of what you eat, taking your time yields positive results—especially when it comes to America’s favorite pastime, cooking meat. One of our favorite carnivores, Abel James, explains why slow cooking your meat can increase its nutrient content and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Reason #1: Muscle Growth and Repair

Most cuts of meat contain collagen, connective tissue that is highly nutritious but often cut away or unpalatable when meat is cooked on high heat (e.g., grilled or pan-fried).

However, when meat is cooked slowly, collagen turns into a healthy (and appetizing) gelatin. One of the top nutrients in collagen is an amino acid called lysine, which has been shown to play a crucial role in muscle growth and recovery.

Reason #2: Healthy Skin

Gelatin contains other amino acids, including proline and glycine, which promote skin, hair, and nail growth. They have been shown to prevent skin wrinkling and sun damage.

Reason #3: Bone and Joint Health

Supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine that are meant to promote bone and joint health are expensive.

Instead of making it rain every time you visit your favorite vitamin store, slow cook your meats to retain the gelatin, or guzzle some bone broth (also a great source of collagen). The digested collagen provides the building blocks for your bones and joints.

Reason #4: Healthy Gut

Gelatin consumption from slow-cooked meat has been shown to improve digestive strength and gut integrity by boosting gastric acid secretion and restoring the healthy mucous lining in the stomach. If the meat you’re eating is giving you stomach trouble, turn down the heat and let it sit for a bit longer.

Meat is an important staple of the American diet, and since we consume more meat per person than any other country, it’s important we do so with dietary awareness. When it comes to preparing meat, take your time—your muscles, skin, bones, and gut will thank you – not to mention whoever else you’re cooking for, because slow-cooked meat tastes awesome.