Pork lard is considered a traditional Ukrainian food, however, it is loved and respected in many other countries as well. It occupies a special place of honor in the diet of rural residents. This extremely tasty and nutritious product is an excellent source of energy and valuable substances. The main factors that determine the benefits and fat are vitamins, calorie content, and the composition of this product.

What's in the product

Salted lard has many beneficial properties due to its rich chemical composition. Among its components you can see fatty acid, minerals, antioxidants. The product is rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, E, F, D, B, C, PP, which are easy to digest. It contains minerals and trace elements such as phosphorus, copper, zinc, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium.

Fatty acids irreplaceable for the body improve the functioning of the brain and other organs, restore tissues, and participate in hematopoiesis. In fat, the following composition of acids can be distinguished:

• linoleic;
• oleic;
• arachidonic;
• palmitic;
• linolenic;
• stearic.

If we judge the benefits and dangers of salty, lard contains arachidonic acid, which has a large spectrum positive qualities... It is necessary for the formation of hormones, in cholesterol metabolism, the construction of cell membranes, for the functioning of many organs.

IN chemical composition fat also includes substances such as selenium, lecithin and carotene, which have a beneficial effect on vision, blood vessels and are antioxidants. Despite the cholesterol content, this product is still useful with moderate use.

Calorie fat

Lard is a high-calorie product, which depends on the thickness, fiber content, and the presence of a meat layer. On average, it is 770 kilocalories per 100 grams. However, this is offset by the biological value of this product, because it consists of 85% saturated and unsaturated acids, triglycerides, cholesterol.

Nutritionists recommend eating the product in the morning, which is affected by the high calorie content of salted fat. The benefits and harms of salted lard depend on human health. It will energize the body for the whole day. Since lard is very nutritious, you will not feel hungry for a long time. A piece of this delicious food, eaten for breakfast, will increase the discharge of the bile accumulated in the body during the night and help cleanse the body.

Useful qualities of the product

Salted lard contains many valuable substances for the body. Its benefits and harms depend on many factors, but there are much more positive qualities. It is best to consume subcutaneous fat rather than intramuscular fat. The most useful ones are 2.5 cm from the skin, tarred without the help of chemicals. Salted lard with garlic and herbs has an excellent effect on health.

Lard melts at body temperature, so it is easily absorbed. There will be no constipation or frustration from him. By enveloping the walls of the esophagus, fat will protect against the harmful effects of alcohol. Fat has a positive effect on all organs and tissues, does not allow them to wear out prematurely. It strengthens the immune system, maintains vitality, nourishes and saturates the body with energy.

Salted lard contains cholesterol, but, despite this, it prevents its accumulation. This product is able to cleanse the vessels from the deposits of harmful substances. Lard frees the liver from heavy metal salts. It combines radionuclides and toxins, facilitating their elimination from the body.

What is the harm from lard

Salted lard, the benefits and harms of which depend on the amount of use, can lead to undesirable consequences... It should be eaten in moderation. This is primarily due to the high fat and calorie content of this product. Uncontrolled eating can lead to disturbances in the digestive system, weight gain and, as a result, obesity. The consequence can be very high level cholesterol in the body.

• gastrointestinal tract;
• cardiovascular system (especially with atherosclerosis);
• liver;
• gallbladder.

After surgical operations, fat should be gradually introduced into the diet, and only after consulting a doctor, because a fatty product can provoke metabolic disorders or drops blood pressure... The situation is similar for women who have just given birth and are breastfeeding. Colic and bloating in an infant can cause salty fat. The benefits and harms of it for children under the age of 3 years are not exactly known. It is better not to give them fat, because this is an excessive load on the pancreas.

Healing properties

Thanks to the many medicinal properties lard is often used in folk medicine, only for this they use it fresh, unsalted. It is great for healing and recovering from various diseases.

The product is used for colds and bronchitis - it is used internally, as well as rubbing the chest and legs for a warming effect. For pain in the joints, lard with honey is applied in the form of compresses. It is good remedy with the appearance of heel spurs, varicose veins, mastitis, hemorrhoids. If you have a toothache, apply a slightly salted nib to your gum. This will reduce, if not completely eliminate, discomfort. Mixed with garlic, the product is an excellent panacea for warts. For quick healing of wounds and eczema, use the Benefits and Harms lard it depends on whether it is salty or not.

The medicinal qualities of the product are also known to beauticians. Lard is often used for the preparation of creams because it is an excellent conductor into the skin. It rejuvenates, smoothes, softens, protects the skin from the effects of wind, sun, frost.

Culinary qualities

Lard is eaten in different forms - salted, smoked, fried, ghee, boiled. However, you should not get carried away with a product that has undergone heat treatment, since in this case it loses its beneficial features and is harder for the body to digest. The most valuable and rich in vitamins is salted lard, its benefits and harms depend only on the amount and frequency of use.

This product is used both independently and for preparing other dishes - snacks, sausages, cutlets, soups, etc. They eat salted bacon with bread, cereals, vegetables. You should not eat it in unlimited quantities, 50 grams per day is enough. For an hour after consuming lard, it is undesirable to drink water.

For a product to have useful qualities, it must be carefully selected. In a good, beautiful-looking and soft-touch fat, there should be no streaks of blood. For better preservation, salted lard should be kept in the refrigerator. If the product turns yellow, it means that it is already stale, valuable substances have oxidized in it, and it should not be eaten.

Man began to eat lard since time immemorial. This is explained not only by the taste properties of this product, but also by the fact that it is easy to store, and most importantly, the product has valuable nutritional properties. Despite this, discussions about the benefits and dangers of fat for the human body do not cease. There are many conflicting opinions about this product. There are supporters who talk about the benefits of such a high-calorie product, and there are those who are against eating pork fat.

What is in lard?

The main reason why the controversy does not subside is associated with the high nutritional properties of the product, namely, with the calorie content. Yes, there are almost 800 kcal per 100 g, but fat contains both saturated and unsaturated amino acids that are necessary for humans. In addition, if you eat a small amount of lard for breakfast, its calorie content will not affect your figure.

In addition, lard contains a large amount amino acids, vitamins and trace elements. Arachidonic acid, which a person needs in an amount of 10 grams daily, can only be found in animal products. Concerning cholesterol present in this delicacy, it is simply irreplaceable for the brain. It is he who participates in the prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, protects nerve cells from damage.

Product benefits

Despite the fact that pork fat is a high-calorie product, it is often used in dietetics.

It would seem to be a high-calorie product, and its use in small quantities every day helps to reduce weight. The usefulness of fat lies in its high nutritional value, since it allows you to saturate the body for a long time, using only about 50 grams. But this is not the only positive characteristic:

The benefits of bacon are used as a remedy for colds, ointments and masks for the skin are made.

When fat is harmful

In addition to the positive qualities, like any, even the best product, fat has contraindications. Eating a small amount of the product will only benefit the body, since bacon does not cause allergic reactions, since its structure differs from, for example, meat. Therefore, almost everyone can eat it.

But there are several diseases in which an appropriate diet is prescribed, when the consumption of fatty foods should be contraindicated:

• diseases of the stomach and intestines in the acute phase;
• severe diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• diseases of the liver and gallbladder.

Promotes the acceleration of metabolic processes, therefore, it is harmful to use fat in large quantities during the recovery period, for example, after surgical interventions ... Also high calorie content of the product will harm if you have an inactive lifestyle.

It is unlikely to be consumed by pregnant women, even boiled. Since lard is still a fatty product, it can cause nausea, weight gain and increase the load on blood vessels. It is harmful to use fat in the diet and lactating, as it can provoke dysbiosis and intestinal colic in the baby.

Fat and diet

Many nutritionists use pork fat for weight loss, noting good results... A good way to fight obesity is to consume 30 grams of unsalted bacon in the morning without bread. Such a diet promotes weight loss due to the fact that the body begins to spend its own fat deposits much faster.

In order to lose weight and not gain quickly lost pounds, fat must be consumed for at least 10 days.

How Do I Pick Good Lard?

First of all, fat can only be purchased in a large store or market where pork fat has passed veterinary control, has a license and a stamp.

pay attention to smell, it should be like a fresh piece of real meat... Only smoked varieties can be an exception. Color can also speak of freshness. Newly slaughtered carcass has a pink tint not only a layer of meat, but also the fat itself. Lard treated with harmful flavors can be identified by scraping the skin with a knife. If a lighter layer appears under the dark layer, it means that this sample was simply tarred.

The consistency must be uniform, veins of meat and spices may be present in it, but the best product is considered to be a product consisting of lard, salt and garlic or pepper.

How and with what is better to eat

In order for calories to be consumed, it is better to eat lard for breakfast in thin pieces. Fat goes well with toast and whole grain bread, this sandwich will energize the whole day. In diets, it is often recommended to eat pork fat with breadcrumbs, which also contributes to weight loss.

It is good to combine this product with vegetables, for example, make a sandwich with lettuce leaves. Boiled lard is no less useful. It is often added to stews and when making soups. Lard is also suitable for frying on it.

Lard is often used in the manufacture of cosmetics. For example, a mask with its addition will protect the delicate skin of the face and hands from frost.

Lard is a unique product, the limited use of which helps a person to cope with many diseases, to heal the body.

Lard is one of the most ancient and respected food products among representatives of Slavic peoples... In addition, it is a valuable source of animal fats, which are simply irreplaceable for the human body.

Despite its long history, today many consumers question the beneficial properties of fat, believing that it can harm the figure and worsen the condition of the internal organs.

Lard is a popular food product among the Slavs.

Is this judgment correct? What do scientists say about the benefits and harms of fat for the body?

Features of the composition

Lard is a thick layer of adipose tissue under the skin of animals, which serves as a place for the deposition of a huge amount of biologically active components, including many essential amino acids, antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins.

The benefits and harms of lard for the body are determined precisely by its unique composition, as well as the method of preparation and the amount in which this food product is consumed daily.

Salo has a unique composition

So, the composition of lard includes:

• fat-soluble vitamins, including A, D, E;
• essential amino acids, namely linolenic, stearic, palmitic and others;
• unsaturated and saturated fatty acids;
• most of the known trace elements, in particular zinc, sodium, calcium and selenium.

Speaking about how many carbohydrates are in fat, it should be noted that this product contains only proteins and fats, therefore it is not dangerous for diabetics. The protein in lard is only 1.4 g.

The calorie content of salted lard is 760-810 kcal per 100 grams of the product, which is a fairly high figure, especially for obese people.

Beneficial features

How is fat useful for the body? Vitamins in fat have a positive effect on a huge number of metabolic processes occurring in the human body, improve the condition of the skin and their color. Due to the content of essential amino acids, the food product increases the level of immunity and promotes the development of an antiviral response.

Also, these biologically active substances have a beneficial effect on the function of internal organs, normalize blood composition, cleanse blood vessels from cholesterol deposits.

Lecithin, which is contained in fat in large quantities, affects the elasticity of the vascular wall and makes it stronger. The product as a whole has a positive effect on the digestive function, stimulates the outflow of bile and cleanses the liver from toxins. Lard provides sufficient hormone production and stabilizes the adrenal glands. It stimulates brain activity, improves memory and motor coordination.

You will learn more about the benefits of lard from the video:

Answering the question whether fat is good for the body, it will not be superfluous to remember that this particular natural product for more than one century it has been actively used by folk healers in the treatment of the following ailments:

• with eczematous skin lesions of allergic origin, as well as infectious eczema;
• with inflammation of the mammary glands;
• if necessary, getting rid of a toothache;

Subdue toothache will help and. Indeed, the plant contains many compounds that can significantly improve the condition of the internal organs and systems of the human body.

• to improve the mobility of joints and their recovery after injuries;
• with varicose veins;
• with atherosclerosis of the main and small vessels, the condition can be improved by fat and cholesterol decreases;

You can also help to normalize cholesterol levels. The oleic acid in its composition helps to reduce bad blood cholesterol.

• as an effective folk remedy for heel spurs;
• with a hangover (lard and vodka are a great combination during holiday feasts, since animal fat significantly slows down the absorption of alcohol in the stomach and improves a person's well-being after drinking alcohol);

To remove the hangover syndrome and will help. Lingonberry contains vitamins C, A, B1, B2, PP, fructose, sucrose, tannins, malic and citric acids, carotene, lycopene and manganese in high concentrations.

• With hemorrhoids, the following recipe helps: fresh fat and onion in proportions of 3: 1, grind and freeze in the form of rectal suppositories (medical syringes without needles will help - an ideal form for homemade suppositories). Suppositories are used at night, the course of treatment is 7-10 days.

You will learn more about the use of lard in traditional medicine from the video:

What is good for women?

For women, fat will be useful in the following cases:

• promotes skin rejuvenation throughout the body, smoothes wrinkles and improves the color of the epithelial integument;
• makes it possible to get an even and beautiful tan, prevents burning of the skin in the sun (before visiting the beach, it is recommended to lubricate the skin with a small slice of fat);
• allows singers to restore their voices and eliminate the initial manifestations of laryngitis.

Laryngitis can also be cured with. To do this, you just need to rinse your mouth with raw vegetable juice.

The benefits of lard for men

Lard is also useful for men, because it:

• normalizes hormonal background men;
• pacifies male fervor by stimulating the production of serotonin, which tames the riot of the main male hormone testosterone;
• increases libido.

Cooking options

Smoked bacon

Currently, this food product is consumed not only in salted and raw form. Many lovers of animal fat prefer to see it smoked on their table, that is, such that it has undergone a specific heat treatment on a fire or in the oven. But is it good to eat smoked bacon?

Smoked bacon retains all the nutrients

In fact, answering the question, what is the use of smoked lard, it should be remembered that this product has a huge number of positive effects that persist after heat treatment. The calorie content of smoked lard also practically does not differ from the raw analogue and is about 700-740 kcal per 100 g of the finished dish. Sometimes the bitterness is felt from smoked bacon.

Isn't it dangerous to health and why is smoked lard bitter? An unpleasant bitter taste in the finished product appears when the conditions for pickling or smoking are violated.

It is best to do this on fruit trees and in clean tanks, wherever the lard pulls on foreign and unpleasant odors.

Is smoked bacon harmful to the body? No more than other food products for which the smoking method has been chosen. This dish is forbidden to be consumed by people suffering from intestinal diseases, impaired bile outflow, obesity, and the like. It is also important to remember the shelf life of smoked lard, which is no more than 21-28 days in the refrigerator, while canned lard can last a little longer - about 3 months.

Lard in onion skins

Often, netizens are interested in the most delicious recipe lard in onion skins. What is it and how to prepare it? Indeed, this dish has a pronounced taste, therefore it deserves special attention.

Lard in onion skins can be easily cooked at home:

• To do this, you need to take the peritoneum of a piglet with layers, at least 4 cm wide and several handfuls of onion husks;
• The husk should be boiled in water for a quarter of an hour, adding salt, allspice and bay leaf;
• Then add the pork product itself to the marinade and cook for at least 35 minutes;
• After turning off the fire, the fat must be left in the water for a few more minutes, until it cools completely;
• After that, take out, rub with paprika and garlic, keep under pressure for 3 hours in the refrigerator.

You will find a detailed recipe in the video:

Salted lard

But the most common way to consume the product is its salty version. To prepare it, you just need to rub the pieces of pork fat with salt and place them in a jar in the refrigerator.

But before you store salted lard in the refrigerator, you should make sure that it is really safe for health.

Probable harm

Can pregnant women eat salted lard? The expectant mother should ask her gynecologist about this. Some women who are preparing for motherhood are better off avoiding salty foods in general, others are allowed in small quantities, since there is always a risk of developing edema of the extremities associated with the pressure of the enlarged uterus on the vessels of the small pelvis.

Fat should not be eaten by patients of the gastroenterology department, especially those who suffer from chronic cholecystitis and pancreatitis.

How to make the right choice?

How to choose fat on the market?

To purchase a really high-quality piece of a product, you need to use simple rules:

• buy lard in a store or market from a trusted seller;
• lard should be white but not yellow or gray;
• lard should not smell unpleasant.

You will learn more secrets of choosing high-quality lard from the video:

Lard is one of the most nutritious and popular food products that deserves attention from each of us.

In addition, it has a beneficial effect on the human body if consumed in moderation and not violated storage conditions.

Similar materials

With the onset of cold weather, doctors reminded people of the existence of effective and inexpensive means to protect the body from infections.

The most important vitamins for strengthening the immune system are vitamins C and B12, found in citrus fruits.

Also, the human body needs selenium and manganese. Selenium can be found in oatmeal and buckwheat, while manganese is found in nuts. Doctors advise introducing iron into the diet, which is rich in meat.

Is pork fat good or bad?

For centuries, neither the Russians, nor the Poles, nor the Anglo-Saxons did without lard, and the inhabitants of Ukraine are still associated with this product exclusively by many. They ate it with bread, they ate alcohol with it, fried and stewed it on it. To dream about lard was considered a good omen: to wealth and health. In general, fat did not take root only in hot eastern countries, and even then only for the reason quick spoilage... However, the modern fashion for thin young ladies has elevated low-calorie diets into a cult, and any fat, especially animal fat, has been sent to the “forbidden” list. Lard disappeared from our tables and began to grow overgrown with monstrous legends. Today we will look at the myths about the dangers of lard and find out how true they are.

They get fat from fat

Recover not from fat, but from its amount! You can get fat from the most useful oatmeal, if you eat it in bags. If you lead a normal sedentary lifestyle or so, you should need 10-30 grams of lard per day. If you are already obese and you are prescribed a low-calorie diet - no more than 10 g per day.

Distinguish "true" lard - subcutaneous fat, right with the skin - from similar foods. Bacon, neck, etc. - not subcutaneous, but intramuscular fat. In addition, together with protein, that is, meat, and such a mixture is no longer so good. The most useful lard is simply salted, with garlic or pepper. Good and smoked, but only "homemade", with a smoke. At meat processing plants, lard, brisket and other pork delights are smoked in liquid, and this is not comme il faut, the properties of the product do not change for the better.

Lard is a heavy food

Not certainly in that way. In a healthy person with a normal stomach, real lard is very well absorbed and does not overload the liver. In general, the most valuable fats for us are those that melt at the temperature of our body, i.e. about 37.0. They are digested and absorbed more fully and faster than others. Their list is headed by lard.

But, of course, lard, like any fat, requires bile and lipases (special substances in the stomach and intestines) for its digestion. Therefore, in case of disturbances in the production of bile and saponification of fats, doctors do not recommend eating it.

Lard is full of fat

And great! Because it is a wonderful structure - subcutaneous fat, in which cells and biologically active substances have been preserved.

For example, the most valuable of the fatty acids is polyunsaturated arachidonic acid. It is very rare; it is not found in vegetable oils at all. You can't live without it. Arachidonic acid is a part of all cell membranes and is needed by the heart muscle. In addition, hormones, immune reactions and cholesterol metabolism cannot do without it.

There are also other essential fatty acids (they are called vitamin F) - linoleic, linolenic, palmitic, oleic. By their content, by the way, lard is close to vegetable oils. Do not forget about fat-soluble vitamins A (here it is up to 1.5 mg per 100 g), D, E, as well as carotene. As a result, the biological activity of lard is 5 times higher than that of oil. So in winter "pork product" is just what is needed to maintain vitality and immunity.

This terrible cholesterol

Yes, it is present here, but even less than in cow oil. And there is nothing wrong with it. Do you think it will immediately begin to be deposited on the walls of the arteries and atherosclerosis will begin? Nothing like this! Doctors have long established that the amount of cholesterol in the blood and tissues depends little on how much you eat. This substance is perfectly synthesized even if you don't eat it at all. Therefore, cholesterol metabolism is much more important: what the body will receive, how much it will do and how it uses it.

By the way, arachidonic, linoleic and linoleic fatty acids just "clean" the vessels from deposits. So a small piece of lard with vitamin F is only beneficial in the prevention of atherosclerosis. And the cholesterol in it will go, for example, to create immune cells (lymphocytes and macrophages) that save the body from viruses and other enemies-pathogens. Even intelligence without cholesterol is nowhere - in the brain it is more than 2%.

Healthy fat

Fat should be about 30% of your daily calories. (Please note: do not eat 30% of fat, but get 30% of all energy from it.) Simply put - 60-80 g per day. And among them, only a third are vegetable fats. We need 10% polyunsaturated fatty acids, 30% saturated, and a whopping 60% monounsaturated. Such a ratio of acids is found in: yes, lard, as well as in peanut and olive oil.

Fried bacon is harmful

Yes, when frying fat, it loses some of its beneficial properties and acquires toxins and carcinogens. But vegetable oils do not behave any better. It is necessary to heat them for a while, as they abruptly cease to be absorbed. But the warmed lard, on the contrary, is absorbed better than in cold or hot-fried. So the way out is simple: the lard should not be fried to the state of cracklings, but heated over low heat.

With bread? In no case!

Paradox: bacon with bread - just what the doctor ordered! An amazing natural combination, in which both products are perfectly digestible. Of course, this does not mean pampushki buns, but grain bread, made from coarse flour or with the addition of bran. Of course, this is for healthy people without obesity and digestive problems.

When losing weight, do not forget, too, fat: it is an excellent source of energy. The dietary option is to eat lard with vegetables, for example, with cabbage. You can take a bite, or you can make a hodgepodge with it, just don't overcook it.

But gastronomic pleasures such as bacon are really not worth putting on bread. In general, when losing weight, they are allowed in microscopic quantities - about 5 g. But this is quite enough to give a taste, for example, to stewed cabbage, carrots or beets on duty.

Better under the vodka

This is the honest truth - lard is a wonderful companion to alcohol. Mainly because it doesn't allow you to get drunk quickly. Fatty lard envelops the stomach and does not allow the drink with degrees to be absorbed there instantly. Of course, alcohol will still be absorbed, but only later, in the intestines, and gradually.

Alcohol, on the other hand, helps to digest fat faster and break it down into components. By the way, it is not at all necessary to use lard with vodka, that is, with vodka! It tastes much better with a glass of dry red wine.

Salted lard

"The more natural the fat, the better!" Salted lard perfectly meets this requirement of modern dietetics.
If the fat is soft, oily, spreading, it means that the pig was overfed with corn. If the fat is tough, it means that the pig has sat hungry for a long time. And the most delicious and dense bacon is obtained if the animal ate "like a pig" - acorns.

The most useful lard is 2.5 cm under the skin.

A piece of bacon is a great "snack" during working hours. It is well absorbed, does not overload the liver and provides as much as 9 kcal of energy per 1 g of product. It is much healthier than even the most expensive sausage, bun or pies.

Nowadays, there are even diets based on moderate consumption of fat. They say that if you eat a couple of pieces of lard on an empty stomach, you can quickly achieve a feeling of fullness. This will prevent you from overeating and you will be able to maintain a good figure.

However, remember that lard, like all fatty foods, should be eaten in small amounts, preferably with warm or easily digestible foods. The recommended norm is no more than 100-150 g of lard per week. And with a sedentary lifestyle, after 50 years, as well as with hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, its use should be sharply reduced.

In the subcutaneous fat of pigs, cells and biologically active substances are preserved, which determines its usefulness. It contains a lot of vitamins A, D, E and carotene. The composition of lard contains such an important substance as arachidonic acid, which belongs to polyunsaturated fatty acids. This substance is found in the heart tissue, brain, kidneys, it is necessary to improve their work. Pork lard has anti-cancer properties, removes toxins from the body, cleanses blood vessels from "harmful" cholesterol (especially together with garlic).

It should be noted that arachidonic acid, which is necessary for the human body, is contained only in lard and is not found in vegetable oils. Judging by the composition of substances useful to humans, lard is necessary to maintain immunity and general vitality, especially in the cold season. Only seal fat can be compared with it, by the way, it is close in composition. The biological activity of lard is about 5 times higher than that of butter or what we now sell under the guise of butter. Pork fat is also useful because it melts at the temperature of the human body and, as a result, is better absorbed by the body.

In folk medicine, it is used for many diseases: for pain in the joints, to improve their mobility during injuries, with weeping eczema, against toothache and mastitis, for the treatment of heel spurs and for a hangover. By the way, combining lard with vegetables is an excellent diet! Good combination - salted lard and vegetables seasoned with unrefined sunflower oil and / or natural apple cider or grape vinegar.

In conclusion, I would like to note that a person needs to take 10% polyunsaturated, 30% saturated and 60% monounsaturated fatty acids with food. This content is found only in peanut and olive oils, and also ... in lard! So those who love lard, eat it to their health, but know when to stop.

Pork lard haunts nutritionists and amateurs healthy eating, causing controversy and forcing to study its properties. Is lard useful or is it just harm, because it is pure fat, a dilemma that cannot be solved unequivocally.

When excess food enters the pig's body, it accumulates "reserves" of nutrients in case the food is not enough or it becomes scarce and monotonous. These accumulations are deposited in the form of a layer of fatty tissue under the skin of the animal.

Fatty acids can be found in the subcutaneous fat of a pig: saturated and unsaturated. There is also cholesterol, proteins, lecithin, without which it is impossible to maintain the elasticity of tissues, including vascular walls.

Pork lard is called a slow but stubborn liver cleaner. Palmitic, oleic, linoleic and stearic fatty acids contribute to this process. They also help to optimize the hormonal balance of the body.

The vitamin part of the composition is very rich: here and A, E, F - fat-soluble vitamins, in addition C, D, the whole group B. Copper, potassium, zinc, selenium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, manganese and other elements - improve the supply oxygenated blood.

The reason for the ongoing controversy between fat lovers and those who are fighting for a healthy lifestyle lies in the especially high calorie content of fat. So for 100 g of fresh lard there are 797 kcal, and for 100 g of salted lard - 815 kcal. But if, for example, we compare butter and lard, the latter is not much higher in calories, and its benefits are almost 6 times greater. A simple example: arachidonic acid, which both products contain, is capable of relieving skin inflammation, and is effective in wound healing. But in lard it is an order of magnitude more.

What is the use of lard

Due to its rich composition, lard is not only valuable, but also a medicinal product. What is the role of fat filling nutrients for humans:

• Improving overall tone and mood;
• Support in recovery from debilitating illnesses;
• Fight against skin inflammations of various kinds;
• Restoration of hormonal levels;
• Regeneration of liver tissue;
• Support for the adrenal glands;
• Brain nutrition;
• Strengthening the walls of the vascular bed;
• Improving skin elasticity;
• Muscle support during growth in children and athletes;
• Reducing the severity of joint pain and relieving inflammation.

Interesting! Having in its composition "harmful cholesterol", lard also contains substances that contribute to the formation of " good cholesterol". The use of fat does not pose a danger to the blood vessels, on the contrary, it maintains their elasticity. The exception is fried lard and greaves.

During off-season declines in the body's immune defense, it is especially important to consume pork fat. But you should not eat lard in large quantities! The dose of this food depends on your lifestyle, activity, age.

Which lard is healthier? Salted, raw, thermally processed? When frying, lard loses most of its nutrients. It is also not always useful to eat salted pork lard, because excess salt is harmful to the body. Therefore, it is recommended to use lard in its raw form or boiled.

Benefit for a man

Men are not so afraid of the high calorie content of fat. It can be compensated by sports training and physical labor. Nutritionists give the following recommendation for men: stock up on this healthy treat if you travel or enjoy extreme leisure activities such as hunting. Lard is stored without a refrigerator for a long time. It is much healthier than sausage and canned food. And the feeling of satiety that it creates, even in a small portion, will ease the load on the body.

Remember! Before you start actively using lard, check with your doctor if such an event will harm you specifically.

Benefit for a woman

Many women in pursuit of low-fat food completely forget that bacon contains vitamins for beautiful skin: A and E. If you include lard in small quantities in the diet, you can slow down the appearance of unpleasant wrinkles on the face.

For women, lard is also useful in that arachidonic acid and other beneficial acids help cleanse the liver, kidneys and skin, constrict blood vessels and eliminate inflammation. This "cleaning" of the body is especially relevant for adolescent girls. Eating lard helps to keep the skin clean without inflammation.

Pregnancy and lactation

Women who are waiting for a baby to appear or are already breastfeeding a newborn can also eat fat. Its beneficial properties will help the formation of the brain and muscles of the fetus, and then the formation breast milk... Young mothers should not forget how high-calorie lard is. In order not to gain unnecessary excess weight, animal fat should be in moderation in the diet. But you should not give up fat.

Benefits for children

Children under 12 years old can eat no more than 15 grams of lard per day. For adolescents, the picture is changing radically. During the period of active formation of a sexually mature person, the need for nutrients increases greatly. Therefore, up to 50 grams of lard per day is quite an adequate amount for a schoolchild and an older boy. It is during this period that physical and mental overload is maximum, because study takes a lot of strength from the body. Thus, it is difficult to overestimate the benefits of lard during adolescence.

Weight control and fat

Lard can help you lose weight. A strange statement, right? Yet there is truth in it. Lard really helps to say goodbye to your own subcutaneous fat, but only if you follow the rules for its use.

You need to eat unsalted bacon every day in the morning and then at lunchtime. The piece should weigh between 20-25 grams. At the same time, you cannot eat bread.

Let's take a look at how fat is good for weight loss? The mechanism for losing weight on fat is as follows: nutrients from bacon activate the consumption of fat in the body. The effect will be noticeable pretty soon - in a couple of months.

Important! Consider energy value eaten lard for weight loss in the total mass of products. Do not forget that the body will lose weight when the energy expenditure exceeds its receipt. Lard only stimulates the consumption process.

The use of lard in wellness practice

What our ancestors did not treat with fat! Some of their healing methods may well be applied now.

Toothache

It has long been treated with lard toothache. Of course, a visit to the dentist is the right decision if a tooth hurts! But when help is needed urgently, and you can't get to the doctor, pork fat will help relieve soreness and inflammation.

Use fresh or salted lard. If it is in salt, wash it off and cut a thin slice. Place between cheek and aching tooth. The pain will go away in 20 minutes. Often, in this way, even edema can be eliminated, if it is in the oral cavity.

Have a cold?

Pork lard is an excellent folk remedy for colds. It is used in the most different types- ghee for ointments, thin layers for compresses, it is also eaten.

Exist temperature reduction method- smear your feet with fresh lard for the night, and then warm your feet with socks.

Inside, you can apply another recipe: brew with milk green tea, and melt a spoonful of lard in it. Add black pepper on the tip of a knife. Drink this tea just before bed. The body will begin to sweat, the temperature will drop, and nutrients will slowly be absorbed and nourish the body all night.

Often used for children and adults cough lozenges... Ground bacon is mixed with dry mustard powder, fir oil is dripped a little into the mixture. A cake is formed from such a composition, which is then glued to the baby's chest or back. Make sure that the mustard does not burn your skin! Slip on a natural cotton T-shirt on top. The beneficial properties of fat are complemented by the warming effect of mustard.

This procedure is applied and with colds... The mixture is applied to the bridge of the nose and the projection of the maxillary sinuses. Caution if the child is allergic - be sure to consult a doctor.

If sore throat, season a slice of lightly salted bacon with lemon wedge juice and chew. This procedure will alleviate pain, partially relieve inflammation, swelling.

Harm to the body

Many people believe that lard is too heavy for the stomach. This is a false statement. Our body easily assimilates pork fat. But in case you have problems with the pancreas, liver or gallbladder then oily can easily be harmful.

You can not use lard in case of cholesterol metabolism disorders, as well as diabetes.

Conclusion

Lard is a valuable product that is an effective high-energy fuel for the human body. This is its great benefit and its main danger. Modern man spends much less energy than it receives with food. Therefore, controlling the consumption of fat, and not abandoning its use completely - this is the right approach to maintaining health and preserving youth and beauty.