Serrano ham is one of the star foods of the Spanish diet. Few deny this meat for breakfast, snacks or drink after a strong workout; and it is not surprising considering its protein content.
The tradition of eating Serrano ham dates back to the times of the Roman Empire, when hams were cured in some areas of the peninsula. This food has a very high nutritional value and is recommended for the prevention of various diseases. But is it really a good source of protein?
Contains 30% protein
It is high in protein, monounsaturated fats, vitamins and minerals; while it is free of carbohydrates and added sugars. From a nutritional point of view, Serrano ham has very beneficial properties. It is a food rich in proteins of high biological value, which contains all the essential amino acids that our body needs but does not produce on its own.
It contains 30 grams of protein for every 100 grams of ham (30%), which is twice what we find in lean meat. This is due to its healing process. This high protein content is beneficial for bone density and muscle strength. But you have to take into account its energy value (160 calories per 100 grams of ham), since the curing process reduces the number of calories by half.
Despite popular belief, Serrano ham is rich in vitamins from group B, B1, B2 and B6, which help maintain the integrity of the bones. It also contains iron, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and zinc which, along with calcium, are essential elements for bone mineralization and work to protect our bone structure.
Regular and moderate consumption of Serrano ham can prevent and/or delay the onset of osteoporosis due to its high content of protein, vitamins and minerals. For this reason, we should include Serrano ham as part of our diet to avoid or delay the appearance of a series of diseases or illnesses. However, the daily dose should be controlled by the intake of fat and salt.
Control of fat and salt
Despite the fact that Serrano ham is high in protein and very beneficial for health, the amount of salt it contains must be taken into account. In fact, it provides 5 grams of salt for every 100 grams of ham . It is a very high amount to consume without control or regularly.
In addition, it has a very balanced fat content (15 grams per 100 grams of ham), since almost half of the fatty acids found in Serrano ham are monounsaturated (oleic acid), which means that they help produce HDL (good cholesterol). On the other hand, it also seems to protect against cardiovascular diseases. There are studies that show a positive relationship between the consumption of monounsaturated fats and bone density.
