Chicken lover / boons and banes to your health

Chicken has said to be one of the most preferred food among meat eaters irrespective of age limits however still there exists a debate between is it healthy? Good to your health or just as any other processed junk food? This raises the question of it… whereas to go about it in detail… they are a good source of protein, Note that the dark meat has a bit more saturated fat and cholesterol; most of the fat in chicken is in the skin. Worried about fat? Remove the skin. The healthiest way to cook chicken is to bake it in the oven or stir fry it with vegetables. Put the parts in a baking pan, rub some oil on them, and surround them with plenty of garlic, lemon, onions or whatever you like until brown.
   
     The cheapest chicken is industrially produced, meaning that the chickens are raised in huge flocks indoors under crowded conditions, treated with antibiotics to prevent illness and promote rapid growth, and are ready to slaughter six weeks after hatching this is a threat to our health in the long run.

     If you don't want to eat chicken raised this way, you should look for birds that were raised free-range without antibiotics and are Certified Organic, kosher, or halal -- if you value such things. You will have to pay more for such meat but it will taste better.

     You will be supporting a food system that is healthier for chickens, people, and the planet. Eating clean and healthy protein is absolutely crucial if you want to prevent disease and premature aging, increase your daily energy and live longer. But unlike the unhealthy chicken you'll find in grocery stores and restaurants, which you should restrict in your diet this certified organic free-range chicken is one of the cleanest and healthiest sources of protein that you will find anywhere.

Main Disadvantages

     The main disadvantages of eating meat  aside from ethical considerations are related to the fat, cholesterol and sodium content. People need some dietary fat and cholesterol on a regular basis. However, meat is relatively high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and atherosclerosis. Sodium is also a serious concern because too much leads to high blood pressure and increased risk of stroke and heart failure. On average, processed meat contains approximately 310 milligrams of sodium per ounce, whereas unprocessed meat has about 77 milligrams. Younger adults should aim for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium daily, whereas elderly adults and those with risk factors for hypertension should consume less than 1,500 milligrams per day.

Healthy benefits of eating chicken

• High in Protein
• Natural Anti-depressant
• Prevents Bone Loss If you’re entering your senior years and you’re concerned about Osteoporosis or arthritis, eating chicken will aid in your fight against bone loss
• Poultry for Heart Health Homocysteine is an amino acid that can cause cardiovascular disease if levels are high in the body. Fortunately for us, eating chicken breast suppresses and controls homocysteine levels.
• Plenty of Phosphorus- an essential mineral that supports your teeth and bones, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system function.
• Seeking Selenium? Chicken also abundant in selenium, an essential mineral involved in metabolic performance—in other words thyroid, hormone, metabolism, and immune function.
• Metabolism Booster Vitamin B6 (or B-complex vitamins) encourage enzymes and metabolic cellular reactions (or a process known as Methylation), which means eating this bird will keep blood vessels healthy, energy levels high, and metabolism burning calories so you can manage a healthy weight and activity level.
•  Rich in Niacin Chicken also happens to be rich in niacin, one particular B-vitamin that guards against cancer and other forms of genetic (DNA) damage.
• Promotes Eye Health Chicken is high in retinol, alpha and beta-carotene, and lycopene, all derived from vitamin A, and all vital for healthy eyesight.
•  Essential for Healthy Tissue Growth Many of us are plagued with chapped lips, cracked mouths, tongue sores, or dry skin in winter. However, a boost in riboflavin (or Vitamin B2), found in chicken livers, will drastically reduce your skin problems and repair dry or damaged skin.

Referrence:
http://livehealthy.chron.com/benefits-disadvantages-meat-diet-1908.html
http://blog.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/2012/05/08/chicken-good-or-bad