Edible animal fats

In their biological essence and properties, animal fats are natural fats that are extracted from the fat and also bone tissues of vertebrate species of animals. The species of animal fats include a product that is obtained not only from domestic, but also from wild animals, as well as fish, birds and some species of reptiles, for example snakes.

Types of animal fats

All types of animal fats are used not only for culinary purposes. Due to their unique natural composition, animal fats are often used as a therapeutic and preventive agent, both in folk and official medicine. It is noteworthy that animal fats play one of the most important roles, both in the life cycle of the animals themselves and in humans. The qualitative chemical composition of animal fats depends primarily on the species of animal.

Composition of animal fats

However, as a rule, the chemical composition of all higher fats contains a large amount of fatty acids, as well as vitamins of the A, E, D, as well as F. The calorie content of animal fats also varies depending on the type of product. True, the average caloric content of animal fats is approximately the same and is at the level of 880-900 Kcal. Food animal fats are actively used in the process of heat treatment of various food products.

Food-grade animal fats are thought to be best suited for making meat dishes. All edible animal fats are classified according to several factors, among which the following can be distinguished: type of animal, method of production, variety, which depends on the quality of the product, as well as on the intended purpose. Some types of animal fats are used more often for medical rather than culinary purposes and vice versa.

Benefits of animal fats

The benefits of animal fats are due to the unique vitamin-mineral composition of the product. Animal fats usually contain a significant amount of fatty acids essential for the human body. In addition, the benefits of animal fats are excellent nutritional properties. Cooked in edible animal fat, the culinary product significantly increases its nutritional value. Animal fats are used in pharmacology as well as cosmetology.

Many animal fats have a real therapeutic effect on the human body. Also, animal fats are used in other branches of human activity, for example, in industry in the production of lubricants. Approximately a third of animal fats are used by humans for technical purposes.

Harm to animal fats

However, in addition to the benefits, there is also harm from animal fats. First of all, animal fats can be harmed when the product is consumed in unlimited quantities. Of course, if you absorb potatoes toasted in pork fat, obesity can develop daily, as well as diseases of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, do not forget about the large content of cholesterol fats in the chemical composition of food animals.