Szechuan beef is a spicy dish that is popular in China. The beef is cooked with red pepper flakes, garlic, and ginger to give it a flavorful and spicy taste. Szechuan beef is a healthy dish that provides many health benefits. Some of the health benefits of eating Szechuan beef include improved cardiovascular health, reduced inflammation, and increased energy levels.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Szechuan beef is high in proteins and healthy fats. The healthy fats help you feel full for longer periods, therefore, controlling your appetite which can lead to weight loss. The protein that is found in Szechuan beef provides the body with energy that helps reduce fatigue, increases mental clarity, improves focus, and strengthens the immune system. When the protein breaks down it releases cysteine which works as an antioxidant by fighting free radicals throughout the body (R). Free radicals are unstable molecules that attack cells causing them to age or become damaged. Studies show that eating 2 lean servings of meat per day reduces the risk of death from coronary heart disease by 50% (R). Eating beef also lowers blood pressure due to its high amount of Vitamin B.
Reduced Inflammation
Szechuan beef is high in antioxidants which fight inflammation in the body. The red pepper flakes that give Szechuan beef its spicy taste have a compound called capsaicin that reduces inflammation and pain (R). Reducing inflammation throughout the body can decrease pain, stiffness, and swelling in people with arthritis and back pains. Drinking 2 glasses of water per day mixed with 1 tablespoon dried ginger also reduces inflammation (R). Ginger contains an anti-inflammatory substance called gingerol which inhibits inflammatory compounds such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes (R). Ginger also improves heart health by stabilizing blood pressure levels, reducing LDL cholesterol levels while increasing good HDL cholesterol levels, and increasing circulation throughout the body (R).
Increased Energy Levels
The proteins and iron found in Szechuan beef increases your energy levels by providing oxygen to cells, releasing energy from food molecules while removing waste products, and producing neurotransmitters that carry nerve impulses which are responsible for feeling awake (R). Iron is an important mineral that carries oxygen to all of the cells in the body. The red meat found in Szechuan beef also contains Vitamin B which boosts energy levels by producing enzymes that play a role in metabolizing proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into usable energy. Vitamin B-12 can be found in options such as lean pork cuts, venison steaks, salmon fillets, lamb racks, grass fed beef liver slices, or Szechuan beef which also boosts energy levels.
May Help Reduce Body Fat
Eating Szechuan beef can increase your body’s fat burning ability by increasing your body temperature through spicy foods which increases metabolism (R). Eating red meat instead of white meat is better for weight loss because it has higher amounts of zinc, iron, and protein that are essential for maintaining a healthy weight (R). Zinc found in Szechuan beef helps build muscle mass which burns more energy throughout the day. A high protein diet increases serotonin levels in the brain that triggers appetite suppression therefore reducing food cravings (R). High fiber diets also promote weight loss because they make you feel full while providing many health benefits including reduced risk of heart disease, improved blood sugar levels, and lower cholesterol (R).
May Improve Digestion
Szechuan beef is high in fiber which helps digestion by producing bulk that moves food through the digestive tract, absorbs water which adds moisture to stools making them softer and easier to pass, and stimulates peristalsis (the rhythmic wave like contraction of the intestinal muscles) (R). The insoluble fiber found in Szechuan beef also prevents constipation by adding bulk to the stool while softening it, drawing water into the colon which improves its ability to contract and push waste out of the body (R). Soluble fiber found in options such as berries, beans, oats, walnuts helps reduce cholesterol levels by binding bile acids so they can’t be reabsorbed into the bloodstream (R).
May Reduce Risk of Cancer
Szechuan beef is high in protein which may decrease your risk of cancer by reducing cellular damage that can lead to tumor growth (R). Cancers such as colorectal, lung, breast, pancreatic, and prostate respond well to diets high in soy because it contains phytoestrogens which reduce estrogen levels by occupying its receptor sites so it can’t attach to cells (R). Soy also reduces insulin-like growth factors which are responsible for stimulating cell division therefore reducing the risk of cancerous tumors from forming (R).
Conclusion
The health benefits of Szechuan beef are plentiful and should be taken advantage of as much as possible. The spices used in this type of dishes, such as garlic and ginger, can help with digestion while the peppers offer a healthy dose of capsaicin which helps to keep inflammation at bay. If you’ve never tried it before or have been craving some good Chinese food for a while now, don’t hesitate to give our restaurant a call! We look forward to serving you soon!
