Eating pig intestines must know this to not harm health
Pork intestines are one of the favorite dishes of many people. However, not everyone knows how to eat this dish without harming their health.
My family loves pork offal, especially my father. Our house is near the market, so after work he often buys offal to enjoy with a little wine. Doctor, can you tell me if eating offal regularly is harmful to your health? What is the appropriate frequency of eating it? Thank you, doctor. Reader Phuong Ha (Bac Giang)
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Ninh - Deputy Director of Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine,Answer: In most Western countries, animal organs are discarded. In Vietnam, pig intestines are a specialty on the drinking table.
In terms of nutritional value, pig intestines are a food that is poor in nutrients and difficult to digest. In addition, eating pig intestines also causes many worrying issues related to food safety and hygiene. If not cleaned, intestines can contain harmful bacteria and parasites of the host (pig).
Animal organs of unknown origin pose a high risk of infection with bacteria, viruses, parasites (worms, flukes)... Some animal intestines contain large amounts of E.Coli bacteria and bacteria that cause diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
To ensure health safety when eating offal, please note:
- You should only eat offal 1-2 times/month.
- Make sure the intestines are cleaned and cooked thoroughly to avoid dangerous pathogens and parasites.
- Absolutely do not eat offal of unknown origin, which may contain preservatives or chemicals that are not good for your health.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Lam - Former Deputy Director of the National Institute of Nutrition,said: Pig intestines are a dish loved by many Vietnamese people. However, you should not eat too much because it can cause health problems.
The nutritional value of intestines is not much, mainly saturated fat and cholesterol. In 100g of pig intestines there is about 400mg of cholesterol.
Cholesterol is an essential component of cell structure. But eating too much can cause excess, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. Therefore, the elderly and people with gout should avoid eating this dish.
In addition, people with metabolic disorders such as hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, overweight - obesity... need to limit eating animal organs and viscera.
Healthy people should only eat offal once a week, 70-80g each time. Everyone should only eat less than 300mg of cholesterol per day from all foods. Cholesterol is not only found in animal organs but also in animal skin, animal fat, etc. We should eat a variety of foods and balance them.
