Things You Didn’t Know About Your Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving is a time of celebration with family and friends. This year it’s time to give thanks to an amazing superfood Turkey. Enjoy Turkey for these reasons.

1) Get Your Protein

There are about 32 grams of protein in a 4-ounce serving of turkey, making it a very good source of these essential amino acids. Just one serving of turkey provides 65 percent of your recommended daily intake of protein. Eat a turkey sandwich for lunch and you’ll almost have your daily protein covered. Its protein content makes turkey a healthy meat choice

2) Cancer Protection and prevention

A little-known health benefit of turkey is that it contains trace minerals thought to aid in cancer prevention. Turkey contains selenium, which is essential for the healthy function of the thyroid and immune system. Selenium also has an essential role to play in your antioxidant defense system, helping to eliminate cancer-friendly free radicals in the body. Selenium is required for the production of the super antioxidant Glutathione.

3. Get Your B Vitamins

Turkey is a nutrient-rich food, making it a healthy choice year-round. A serving of turkey meat has 36 percent of the daily allowance of Vitamin B3 or niacin, which plays a critical role in the processing of fats in the body, and 27 percent of your recommended intake of B6, a vitamin that helps maintain steady blood sugar levels.

4. Benefit From Less Saturated Fat

Saturated fat is necessary for biological functions, hormone production, padding for organs, and energy. While saturated fat is necessary for a healthy body, most moderately-active people should be mindful of overindulging. Turkey has less than 12 percent of the recommended daily allowance of saturated fat per 4-ounce serving.

5. Mood Enhancer

Turkey is believed to have mood-enhancing properties. It contains tryptothan, which produces serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps improve your mood. Tryptothan also plays an important role in strengthening the immune system, as suggested by scientific evidence.
The vitamin B6 and niacin present in turkey are essential for energy production in the body. Niacin is also important for converting the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the body into usable energy.
Being a rich source of vitamin B6, turkey facilitates methyl donation in the basic cellular process of ‘methylation’. Through this process, methyl groups are transferred from one molecule to another, which results in the formation of a wide range of active molecules that are important for the body.
The tryptothan present in turkey is effective in treating chronic insomnia. It promotes sleep and is, therefore, recommended to those suffering from insomnia.

Here are some Turkey tips:

If you can, buy organic. Turkeys raised organically will have been treated humanely and are less likely to contain pesticides and herbicides. Additionally, Grass-fed turkeys raised under organic conditions convey the most health benefits, as they offer higher nutritional value and are superior to birds given antibiotics or raised without access to natural pasture. Consider looking for a local, grass-based poultry farm when shopping for organic turkeys.
Look for meat that is supple.
A turkey roast is cooked properly when it is piping hot all the way through.
Turkey dries out quickly, so don’t overcook it.
If marinating turkey meat, put it in the fridge straight after you’ve finished, as it is highly sensitive to heat.
Store turkey separate from any gravy, stuffing, or raw food.
Refrigerated turkey will keep for about one or two days. If it is already cooked, it will keep for about four days

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Gez Agolli