Chicken meat is loved and cooked regularly by many of us. It becomes the basis of a mass of different dishes, and a useful addition to the daily menu. The benefits and harms of chicken mainly depend on how the meat was cooked, and how the bird was raised, and we’ll talk about this in more detail.

Benefits of chicken

Chicken meat includes a lot of protein and amino acids. And its calorie content is much less than the calorie content of other types of meat (about 190 kcal, depending on which part of the carcass we are talking about). Therefore, chicken is actively included in the composition of dietary dishes and in the menu of proper nutrition.
Animal protein is the main benefit in chicken meat. As we know, it is the main building material of the human body. Chicken meat also contains a lot of potassium and phosphorus. It can also be considered dietary due to its low fat content.
Chicken is good for our immunity. The presence of a number of valuable trace elements in it allows you to create a kind of protective barrier for the body. Those who regularly consume boiled chicken meat are much less likely to suffer from colds than those who love, for example, pork and beef.
A very useful product is chicken broth. It is quite nutritious, and at the same time it is able to quickly give strength. In view of this, it is the most popular product for patients during the recovery period.
Chicken has a beneficial effect on our nervous system. A set of useful vitamins and trace elements ensures the normal functioning of nerve cells. Chicken is especially useful for those who suffer from insomnia, stress, and depression. In addition to potassium and phosphorus, chicken meat contains many other mineral components and vitamins. These are vitamins A and E, B vitamins, iron, magnesium. There are practically no carbohydrates in chicken, which is also its advantage.
Experts say that quality chicken meat can be used as a way to fight many diseases, such as gout and polyarthritis, diabetes and peptic ulcer. It is especially necessary to use chicken meat for diabetics, since it helps to increase polyunsaturated acids in the blood, which are perfectly absorbed by the human body.
Another reason for the benefits of chicken meat is the presence of glutamine in it. It is an amino acid that helps build muscle mass. This is why bodybuilders love chicken so much.
Chicken provides prevention of strokes and atherosclerosis, normalizes blood pressure. It is useful for the elderly and children.
Chicken meat normalizes metabolism, maintains sugar levels and blood pressure in a normal state. It also lowers the level of bad cholesterol, and activates the kidneys. Chicken meat is useful for people with both low acidity and high acidity.
Harm of chicken meat

The main drawback is the skin. It has a lot of adipose tissue. Before eating meat, it is better to remove the skin, which will help eliminate its harm. The exception is the skin on the wings, tender and non-greasy.
The significant benefits of chicken meat apply only to domestic chicken. As for a bird bought in a store, there may be more harm in it than good. Many companies feed broiler chickens with antibiotics and hormones, which, of course, are of little use. Anabolic hormones are also added to chicken feed in order to rapidly grow birds and increase their weight.
If the chicken meat was not processed enough, it can cause the active reproduction of bacteria in the intestines, and poisoning the whole body as a result. Therefore, the chicken must be well cooked before eating.
Also, do not abuse smoked and fried chicken, as these dishes are sources of bad cholesterol. The most useful is boiled chicken fillet, often included in the diet of athletes and just people who want to keep their figure and health in order.
As we can see, the benefits and harms of chicken are a very controversial issue. With proper, moderate consumption of domestic chicken meat, this product will become a worthy component of your diet.