It is difficult to find another such product with such an ambiguous reputation. Some people can not live without him, while others shudder at the mere thought of fat. For many years, pork fat was considered junk food from the diet of the poor, but in recent years, researchers have increasingly come to the opposite opinion. Today it is often said that in some respects lard is even better than olive oil. The truth is, or another delusion – scientists have yet to check. But the fact that this product has been biased for many years is a fact.
Who came up with eating fat
Today, fat is considered to be the business card of the Ukrainians. But in fact, they were not at all, and not even the Slavs came up with this product. And this is another big misconception about lard. His homeland is Italy, where three thousand years ago white lard was used as a cheap but nutritious food for slaves who worked in the marble quarries. At one time in the Roman Empire, it was supplied to legionnaires during campaigns and battles.
In those days, fat was called Lardo di Colonnata. The name comes from a small settlement in the north of Tuscany. It was there that men, going to work in the mines, except bread with olives and tomatoes, took with them lardos. Over time, the lardo ceased to be food for the poor and today has become a gastronomic attraction of the Italian Colonnades.
Even today, to be in Tuscany and not to try the local fat is the same as not to see the Eiffel Tower while in Paris. And lardo is indeed a unique product: it, like many centuries ago, is aged in marble tubs rubbed with garlic and sea salt, at a certain humidity, temperature and, most importantly, without the use of preservatives. Harvesting lardo begin in early autumn. It is interesting that today pork fat is delivered to Kolonnata from Parma, where they produce no less famous Parma ham.
Another popular type of Italian lard is made in the northwest of the country. But unlike Kollonaty, lardo is kept not in marble containers, but in oak, chestnut or nut containers.
In ancient times, this pork product was one of the most popular among the poor who could not afford meat. They then came up with smoked and salted lard. Moreover, considering that pigs have been raised in many countries for centuries, it is not surprising that almost every nation has its own options for procuring that product. And in pig fat cooked according to some recipes it is sometimes even difficult to recognize ordinary fat.
It is said that among the foods that Columbus took with him in swimming was lard. And this product, the sailors loved much more than fish. The Benedictine monks also used it. And not only as food, but also as raw material for candles.
The ancient Slavs, in addition to raw pork fat, used boiled and baked lard, made it with cracklings and drowned lard.
The beneficial properties of pork fat
Fat is a high-calorie fat product, and to consume a lot of fat, of course, is not very useful. Meanwhile, moderate portions can be very useful.
Pork fat is rich in vitamins, micro and macro elements, it contains components that affect the body tonic. Few people know that pork fat has a unique component that chemists call arachidonic acid. It is necessary to maintain cholesterol, as well as the production of hormones and the formation of new cells. It also regulates the functioning of the brain, liver and adrenal glands.
By the way, as it turned out, our ancestors loved to combine bacon with garlic. Researchers have determined that such a tandem of products is extremely useful for maintaining vascular, heart and liver health. Other useful properties of lard are that this product is a natural choleretic agent, and also easily removes carcinogens and toxins from the body.
Salo is one of the products containing selenium in a highly digestible form, which makes pork fat beneficial for pregnant, lactating mothers, smokers, and athletes. And after eating a couple of pieces of fat before a hop-feast, you can protect yourself from fast intoxication and a morning hangover.
Among other things, fat is useful for people with:
- arthritis;
- arthrosis;
- injuries of the musculoskeletal system;
- burns;
- frostbite;
- heel spurs;
- eczema;
- toothache.
The nutritional value
In everyday life, for most people, fat is a highly nutritious fatty product. And chemists say that lard is a complex of vitamins A, E, D and F, selenium, zinc, arachidonic, palmitic, oleic, stearic, linoleic acids.
Role for the body
Fat, like other foods, is beneficial for humans if the norms are followed.
It is considered that a safe portion of pig fat for an adult is 10-20 g per day and not more than 100 g per week. This is an ideal daily rate, which will not be deposited on the body with extra centimeters, but at the same time it is enough to get all the benefits of fat.
Weight Loss
Weight LossMany refuse fat, afraid to gain extra pounds. Observations have shown: pork fat can indeed cause obesity if consumed without measure. But in the case of overeating, almost all other products will give a similar effect. And fat in adequate portions, on the contrary, breaks down harmful lipids in the human body. This solid white fat cleans the vessels of atherosclerotic plaques, stimulates the production of bile and regulates the process of digestion. So, 1-2 slices of fat only improve metabolism and prevent the accumulation of excess.
Heart and blood vessels
Pig fat, in addition to antioxidant vitamins important for humans, contains arachidonic acid. It is this substance in combination with other useful components that strengthen the blood vessels and normalize the work of the heart muscle. Due to its special composition, lard is also useful in blood vessels supplying blood to brain cells and other internal organs. And if you remember the ability to protect against the accumulation of excess cholesterol, the fat turns into one of the most useful products for blood vessels.
More beneficial than olive oil?
British researchers spent 20 years studying the properties of pork fat. And not so long ago, they made an amazing statement: this product is sometimes healthier than olive oil. In particular, when heated in pig fat, substances are produced that improve brain function, prevent heart disease and oncogenesis. On the contrary, according to the British, vegetable oils, including olive oil, when heated become harmful to humans. So British scientists advise to put a piece of lard on the pan instead of vegetable oil.
Possible hazardous properties
Pork lard is a useful product, but subject to consumption in reasonable rates. Excessive fascination with them can cause obesity.
Baked lard, or lard, contains a lot of cholesterol. Therefore, it is necessary to use it for people with problems of the heart or blood vessels in small portions or to abandon the product in general. Also, nutritionists recommend to keep from Smaltz in the presence of disorders of the digestive organs.
Smoked lard, especially with the help of so-called liquid smoke, also does not bring much benefit, nutritionists say. In this form, the pork product becomes extremely difficult to digest even by a healthy organism. Smoked fat is strictly forbidden for people with kidney dysfunction or a stomach ulcer. They do not recommend salted fat and cores, because in this form the product contains too much sodium, and it is known that there is little benefit for patients. It is forbidden to fat with exacerbations of diseases of the gallbladder or liver, as well as in violation of cholesterol metabolism.
Another danger of fat is the presence of substances toxic to humans. This can happen provided that the animal was fed with contaminated carcinogens feed or using genetically modified plants.
Speaking about the possible dangers of fat, it is important to recall again arachidonic acid, which is quite a lot in this product. The named acid is beneficial to humans only in adequate quantities. Its excess causes inflammation in the body, slows down blood clotting and leads to nervous disorders.
And of course it is important not to forget: lard is not the main food source of vitamins and minerals. It can be introduced from time to time into the diet, but not converted into daily food. And then do not have to worry about the possible harmful effects.
How to choose
It turns out that not all fat is equally useful. Researchers have calculated: the greatest benefit for the body is pork fat, which is approximately 2,5 cm under the skin. The most delicious bacon with the correct consistency can be “boasted” of pigs fed with acorns. Very soft and friable – a sign that the pig was overfed with corn, and that the animal is often malnourished, will tell a very hard fat.
If you want to buy a piece of salted pork product, then it is important to understand that after long storage there is practically nothing useful left in it. More good will bring freshly frozen suet. But if there is an opportunity to buy fresh, then you should always give preference in his favor.
Salo: who uses how?
Salo is different. So say those who are aware that in different countries there are their “most delicious” recipes for cooking. Thus, the Ukrainian version of pork fat is difficult to imagine without the “company” in the form of garlic or onion. Real Hungarian fat is not without red pepper. And Estonians love smoked product. But, probably, the strangest fat is in the inhabitants of Chukotka: they consume the fat of seals, which, however, very much resembles pork product.
Nutritionists call garlic, onions, red hot peppers, whole grain bread, parsley and sour cabbage the best “companions” for lard. In this combination, pork fat affects the body as an antioxidant, cleanses the liver and blood vessels, removes excess bile.
Fat in traditional medicine
Pork fat as a medicine was used in Russia. Some of the ancient recipes have survived to this day. Here are some of the most popular.
For toothache, apply a slice of unsalted fat to the gum near the diseased tooth on 20 minutes.
From heel spurs – attach a piece of white fat to the sore spot and fix with a bandage.
For pain in the joints – to make gruel from ground fat and honey to lubricate sore spots for the night (to wrap up with a warm cloth).
For warts – apply a mixture of lard (2 parts) and garlic (1 part) to the wart several times a day.
From varicose veins – unsalted slices primatyvat to painful areas.
From eczema – lubricate with a mixture of Smaltza (2 Art. L.), chicken proteins (2 pcs.), Nightshade (100 g) and celandine juice (1 l). Before using the tool insist 3 day.
From calluses and corns – apply a slurry of fat on the steamed skin, then rub it with pumice.
From back pain – wrap a piece of salty bacon and wrap a warm scarf.
Use in cosmetology
Animal fats were used as cosmetics in ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Romans, for example, to preserve youthful skin and prevent its dryness used creams of pork fat. Used lard and beauties of ancient Russia. They used animal fat for skin and hair. Natural cosmetics were popular in medieval Europe and during the Renaissance. Does not lose its popularity today. Fresh fat is a part of many popular creams, and is also a popular component of homemade cosmetics.
For example, having smeared hands and face with pork fat, you can remain in the frost for a long time without fear of chapping or freezing the skin. Cream of dill, lime and pork fat will help loose skin, relieve facial wrinkles. Lard can be greased dry and cracked lips. And as a mask for weak and dull hair, a mixture of chicken eggs, aloe juice, honey, birch sap and chopped lard will do.
Salo is an unrivaled product. It serves man as a nutritious food, relieves many troubles with health and returns beauty. But despite the abundance of useful qualities, many continue to treat him biased, flatly rejecting fat. And in vain!
