We have been repeatedly instructed to cook food thoroughly throughout most of our lives. While this is essential for numerous types of food – particularly certain meats and vegetables – various other kinds are perfectly safe and even healthy to eat raw.
Many people face the challenge of figuring out what they can and can’t eat raw. Unfortunately, the consequences of eating raw or undercooked meat can range from a mild stomach ache to severe risks of food poisoning and even death, so many of us decide it’s not worth the risk.
The good news is that, over centuries of people taking these risks to learn for themselves, we now have a pretty good idea of what foods you can and can’t eat raw.
With this in mind, we’ve compiled this guide to help you quickly find the answer to these questions and some other related questions.
Can You Eat Raw Liver? Yes, the liver can be consumed raw. However, the raw liver is a delicate food and should be consumed with caution. In addition, the liver is the organ to which a metabolic function is assigned in every organism, potentially making it a disease carrier if it is not cooked well or even eaten raw. But the raw liver can be excessively harmless, only if it is from an animal that has perhaps undergone a proper preservation process.
What Are the Benefits of Eating Raw Liver?
While the liver is the number one source of many vitamins, it doesn’t have the best reputation. Since it is a detoxification organ, it is considered impure. In terms of taste, too, it is not for everyone – it has a somewhat peculiar taste and consistency. So, how Healthy is the Liver?
- LOW IN FAT AND HIGH IN PROTEIN
Before we go into more detail about the essential nutrients, let’s first look at which macronutrients, i.e., protein, fat, and carbohydrates, the liver is made up of.
Raw liver is a relatively low-fat, high-protein food. It only contains 3.6 g of fat per 100 g, which is pretty little for meat. The protein content of around 20% is similar to that of other types of meat. Like other animal protein sources, the protein in the liver is high quality.
It contains all nine essential amino acids. Essential means that the body cannot make them, and we have to get them through food. The liver also contains carbohydrates, which is unusual for meat. This can be explained by the fact that carbohydrates are stored in the liver in the form of glycogen.
- RAW LIVER PROTECTS AGAINST ANEMIA.
Poultry liver is an excellent source of easily digestible iron and vitamin B12. These components affect blood quality and the number of red blood cells. Eating liver prevents anemia, both from iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency. If you already have anemia, eating liver regularly is a better solution than taking pharmacy iron preparations, which are poorly absorbed and can cause constipation.
- THE RAW LIVER SUPPORTS EYESIGHT.
Due to the presence of large amounts of vitamin A, the chicken liver supports the work of the eye. This vitamin is present in the liver in the form of retinol, alpha – and beta-carotene, including lycopene.
Vitamin A deficiency causes dry eyes, which is uncomfortable and increases the risk of infection. Too little vitamin A is associated with the inability to see in the dark, the so-called night blindness. Providing adequate amounts of vitamin A reduces the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, common problems in old age.
- THE LIVER ACCELERATES TISSUE REGENERATION.
Women planning a pregnancy are advised to take folic acid to avoid fetal neural tube defects. However, this is not his only role. Research shows that a diet low in folic acid makes conception difficult, and the consumption of this vitamin in a dose of min. Seven hundred micrograms per day are essential for improving ovulation.
In addition, 100g of liver contains as much as 588 micrograms of folic acid, so it is an excellent product for supplementing folic acid deficiencies in the body. Men also need vitamin B9 because it improves the quality of sperm together with zinc.
Read more : 13 Health Benefits of Eating Liver
Is It Better to Eat Liver Raw or Cooked?
Liver cooked or raw contains many nutrients that are good for the body; it helps prevent anemia, fertility and supports liver function. Nevertheless, eating raw liver is unsafe, irrespective of the source and how fresh the liver looks.
By consuming raw liver meats, you’re more susceptible to the risk of chronic diseases like hepatitis, which may also result in severe food poisoning. In addition, you’re most likely to come in contact with bacteria like campylobacter and salmonella, which are very deadly.
However, whether cooked or raw, the liver is an excellent source of vitamin A. And eating too much liver makes you more exposed to the risk of taking too much vitamin A into your body. In addition, excessive intake of vitamin A could cause vision problems, skin changes, and impose pressure on your brain. Therefore, it’s very recommended that you do away with the raw liver.
The symptoms of congenital diseases caused by eating raw meat are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, and headaches. These symptoms usually start within 24 hours and can last up to seven days or longer.
In addition, if the liver is cooked in the right way, pathogens that are potentially harmful to health can be killed.
So, eating raw liver greatly increases the risk of developing foodborne illnesses, so caution should be exercised. If you are going to eat raw beef, only eat beef that has been specially prepared for eating raw. But it’s worth knowing that Even with liver specially prepared for raw consumption, it is not possible to eliminate the risk of food poisoning. Therefore a cooked liver is advisable to eat and very safe to some extent.
What Does Raw Liver Taste Like?
The raw liver has a faint sweetness and a smooth texture that cannot be tasted in other parts of an animal. The liver has a very intense and strong and flavor, and Unlike beef, the liver has a very strong bitter taste, and it doesn’t take fully on the flavor of the ingredients with which it was cooked.
Moreover, liver gotten from big animals tends to have a stronger taste and flavor than the one obtained from small animals. When overcooked, the liver will be dry and have a chewy texture. But when it is properly cooked, the liver tends to have a very soft and creamy texture. All livers do not give the same taste. Their taste solely depends on the
Can Raw Liver Make You Sick?
Raw liver, whether from beef, pork, or chicken, is a very nutritious food that is a source of protein and rich in important vitamins and minerals, which can bring benefits for the treatment of some health problems, such as anemia.
However, suppose there is a need to consume raw liver. In that case, it should be consumed sparingly because it can cause some complications when consumed in excess, especially in people who already have some health condition.
The liver is also rich in cholesterol and can contain heavy metals that build up in the body over the long term. So, whenever you have a health problem, the ideal is to consult a nutritionist to assess the portion and frequency in which the liver is recommended to avoid possible complications.
See also: Can You Eat Liver With GERD?
Conclusion
The liver represents an organ potentially subject to parasitosis or harmful substances typical of environmental pollution. For this reason, the liver should always be cooked precisely because cooking eliminates most of the potentially harmful substances found in the liver and are very frequent, especially because we are dealing with the animal’s organ, which has the purifying function of its organism.