Nutrient Content of Grass-fed Beef

Background and methodology
This paper provides a scientific review of the health benefits of consuming grass- fed beef and further summarizes what is known about grass diets and the beef that is produced as a result of a grazing regime to justify specific health claims on labeled products.

Findings
Grass-fed beef has been reported to contain elevated concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin E, increased levels of omega-3, a more desirable omega-3: omega-6 ratio and increased levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), all substances with favorable biological effects on human health. This paper summarizes information on provitamin A (Beta-Carotene); vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol); Omega 3: Omega 6 fatty acids and Conjugated lenoleic acid. Beef fed conventionally contains approximately 41 μg of beta-carotene/100 gram of ground beef and approximately 36 μg in a typical ribeye steak. Cattle fattened predominantly on ryegrass effectively double the beta-carotene content in both steak (64 μg) and ground beef (87 μg). The amount of natural vitamin E found in beef raised on a concentrate-base diet is 3.7 μg/gram of tissue and that of beef raised on grass-based diet id 9.3 μg/gram. A serving of grass-fed beef provides 88.5 mg of omega-3, while the conventional beef supplies 54.6 mg.

Reference:
Abbott, A., Basurto, M., Daley, C. A., Nader, G. and Larson, S. (?).Enhanced nutrient content of grass fed beef: Justification for health benefit label claim. http://www.csuchico.edu/agr/grsfdbef/pdf/amberabbottgrassfedbeef.pdf