One of the main characteristics of Iberian ham is its high percentage of intramuscular fat. This not only makes it one of the most appreciated culinary delicacies but also makes it a heart-healthy food. Just as you read it, the fat in Iberian ham is an excellent ally for your health and in this article we tell you why.
Unlike what happens with Serrano hams, when an Iberian ham raised in the pasture is analyzed, it has an excellent lipid profile, which means that it has a low proportion of saturated fats and a high proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids.
Monounsaturated fatty acids are called oleic acid and are the same fatty acids present in virgin olive oil. These fats have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health because, according to rigorous scientific studies, their moderate consumption has been shown to have a beneficial effect on blood cholesterol, increasing beneficial cholesterol (HDL) and reducing harmful cholesterol (LDL).
The total proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in the fat of acorn-fed Iberian ham is greater than 75%, making it the most heart-healthy of all known animal fats, even more so than some vegetable fats.
But the merit of these beneficial properties is not only due to the breed of pigs, but also to the feeding and fattening conditions of the animals. There is a big difference between pigs raised in free-range pastures and those housed in pens. Thanks to this freedom in the pasture, the fat infiltrates between the meat and the acorn and grass feed is what gives the meat its special characteristics.
It should be clarified that when we talk about the fat in Iberian ham, we are referring to that which is edible. This fat is usually whitish or pinkish and appears next to the ham meat, with a pleasant texture in the mouth and an incomparable flavor. On the other hand, the fat that should not be eaten is yellowish in color and is found on the outside of the ham. This covering fat is an indicator of the quality of the ham, since the less fat there is, the higher the quality of the product, but it must be removed at the time of slicing.
The quality of the fat in Iberian ham is not the only benefit for your health, but we will tell you about its other qualities in another article. Now you know, you don’t have to trim the fat from your slices of Iberian ham, but you can enjoy its incomparable flavor and all the nutritional benefits of this high quality food without guilt.
