How to eat animal organs well?

In many countries around the world, especially in Southeast Asia, animal organs are commonly used in daily meals. However, each part contains unpredictable risks.

In many countries around the world, the heart, liver, kidney, intestines and brain of animals are part of the daily diet. Meanwhile, animal organs do not often appear in American meals. Only a small number of people like to eat certain dishes with organ meat as ingredients, such as pig intestines and pate.

Animal intestines can carry many types of dangerous bacteria, parasites and pathogens for humans. Photo: Internet

But there is no denying that animal organs contain a lot of nutrients. But everything has some potential risks. Dr. Manny Alvarez, senior managing editor of Fox News Channel, head of Obstetrics and Reproductive Sciences at Hackensack University Medical Center in the US, answered the question of what risks can come from eating animal organs and how to eat them to protect your health.

Some animal organs, notably liver, are very high in vitamin A. In fact, they are so rich that they have attracted the attention of nutritionists. Centuries ago, there were documented cases of vitamin poisoning, such as sailors who were poisoned by eating polar bear liver. However, animal liver is also a rich source of the minerals iron, folate, calcium, copper, and zinc.

In addition to its nutritional benefits, liver also carries certain risks. For example, an average of 100 grams of liver contains 1.2 grams of saturated fat and 302 mg of cholesterol, which is more than the maximum daily cholesterol intake allowed for healthy people (300 mg) and people with diabetes or heart disease (200 mg).

Meanwhile, many recent studies have questioned cholesterol and saturated fat as causes of heart disease. The American Heart Association has always recommended that people keep saturated fat at less than 5%-6% of daily calories consumed.

Animal liver contains a lot of vitamin A and minerals but also contains certain risks. Photo: Internet

Additionally, animal livers and kidneys are organs that can contain toxins if the animal is exposed to toxins from food or the environment.

Other organs may not contain as many toxins, but they pose other risks. For example, intestines, if not cleaned and cooked properly (cooked for a long time), can carry many dangerous bacteria, parasites and diseases for humans. Dishes made from animal brains can also be linked to the transmission of rare diseases, typically mad cow disease in humans.

If there is one organ that offers high health benefits with relatively low risks (apart from high cholesterol), it is the heart. But it should be cooked thoroughly like any other food, and can be ground and mixed with meat in dishes.

Most animal organs are safe if you use them in moderation and ensure their origin, hygiene, preparation and processing are safe. However, those who regularly eat animal liver, intestines, kidneys... should consider the health risks.

According to PLO