Is Iberico Ham Healthy? What Is So Special About Iberico Ham?


The first jamon appeared more than 2000 years ago, during the time of the Roman Empire. Jamon in Spain was eaten by the poor and the rich. It was a decoration of the table of the Roman patricians and was always included in the diet of Roman legionnaires. The secret of its preparation lies in a special marinade for meat, salting time, usually two weeks, and a special regime for drying and drying.

Is Iberico ham healthy? Iberico ham is completely healthy, being a source of natural protein, fat, B vitamins, and minerals — iron, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium. Tyrosine in Iberico ham eliminates excess fat and improves the work of the thyroid. Iberico ham is good for metabolism and blood circulation.

See also: What Does Pastrami Taste Like? Pastrami Taste Ultimate Guide

Iberico Ham Nutritional Information

How many calories are in Iberico ham? The calorie content of Iberico ham is 375 kcal per 100 grams, 43.2 g of proteins, 22.4 g of fat, 0.1 g of carbohydrates, and 34g of water.

Calorie content  375 kcal
Proteins 43.2 g
Fat 22.4 g
Carbohydrates 0.1 g
Dietary fiber 0 g
Water 34 g

Iberico Ham Vitamin Content Table

Vitamin B1, thiamine 0.84 mg
Vitamin B2, riboflavin 0.2 mg
Vitamin B6, pyridoxine 0.42 mg
Vitamin B9, folate 13.49 μg
Vitamin B12, cobalamin 15.68 μg
Vitamin D, calciferol 1 μg

Iberico Ham Microelement Content Table

Potassium, K 153.2 mg
Calcium, Ca 27.08 mg
Sodium, Na 1110.9 mg

Iberico Ham Trace Element Content Table

Iron, Fe 3.35 mg
Iodine, I 11 μg
Manganese, Mn 1.57 mg
Zinc, Zn 3.04 mg

Health Benefits of Jamon Iberico

Iberico pork health benefits are numerous. Jamon Iberico contains vitamins A and E, which help to normalize cholesterol levels in the blood, and are an excellent prevention against atherosclerosis. Also, these vitamins have a positive effect on the skin. Iberico ham contains minerals like magnesium, sulfur, iron and potassium.

Jamon Iberico contains antioxidants and tyrosine, which also have a beneficial effect on the skin, slowing down aging and regenerating cells. With the periodic Iberico ham consumption, it is possible to improve the condition of the cardiovascular sphere, protecting it from various diseases, make the skin of the face more youthful and improve the condition of the blood vessels.

Oleic acid in Iberico ham improves the state of the heart and blood vessels. Its action is aimed at combating various cardiovascular diseases. In the process of digestion, oleic acid is completely broken down and is not harmful to the body.

The fatty acid composition in ham consists of 50-70% monounsaturated oleic acid, which is indispensable for the human body. Simply put, it is fat that is involved in metabolic processes and is broken down during digestion (calorizator). It is oleic acid that cleanses the blood from “bad” cholesterol.

In Spain, jamon is officially considered a dietary product by the Ministry of Health that can be safely consumed by a person of any age.

Why is Iberico ham so good? Iberico ham has a creamy, meaty, nutty flavor and literally melts in your mouth if served at room temperature. Unique Iberico ham aroma, amazing taste and soft and juicy texture together with health benefits make Iberico ham so good. 

Iberico ham has unsaturated oleic acid, which improves metabolic processes and cleanses the body, removing harmful cholesterol, preventing diseases like atherosclerosis and hypertension. Iberico has a positive effect on the cardiovascular and nervous system, improves the condition of the skin and hair.

Iberico Pork Health Benefits

Vitamin B1 is a part of the most important enzymes of carbohydrate and energy metabolism, which provide the body with energy and plastic substances, as well as the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids. Lack of this vitamin leads to serious disorders of the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems.

Vitamin B2 is involved in redox reactions, enhances the color sensitivity of the visual analyzer and dark adaptation. Insufficient intake of vitamin B2 is accompanied by a poor condition of the skin, mucous membranes, impaired light and twilight vision.

Vitamin B6 is involved in maintaining the immune response, inhibition and excitation processes in the central nervous system, in the conversion of amino acids, in the metabolism of tryptophan, lipids and nucleic acids, contributes to the normal formation of erythrocytes, maintenance of a normal level of homocysteine ​​in the blood. Insufficient intake of vitamin B6 is accompanied by a decrease in appetite, a violation of the skin condition, the development of homocysteinemia, anemia.

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the metabolism and conversion of amino acids. Folate and vitamin B12 are interrelated vitamins and are involved in hematopoiesis. Lack of vitamin B12 leads to the development of partial or secondary folate deficiency, as well as anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia.

Iron is part of proteins of various functions, including enzymes. It participates in the transport of electrons, oxygen, ensures the course of redox reactions and activation of peroxidation. Insufficient consumption leads to hypochromic anemia, myoglobin-deficient skeletal muscle atony, increased fatigue, myocardiopathy, and atrophic gastritis.

Manganese is involved in the formation of bone and connective tissue. It is part of the enzymes involved in the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, catecholamines; it is essential for synthesizing cholesterol and nucleotides. Insufficient consumption is accompanied by a slowdown in growth, disorders in the reproductive system, increased fragility of bone tissue, disorders of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

Zinc is a part of more than 300 enzymes, participates in the processes of synthesis and breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, nucleic acids and in the regulation of the expression of a number of genes. Insufficient consumption leads to anemia, secondary immunodeficiency, liver cirrhosis. Recent studies have revealed the ability of high doses of zinc to disrupt the absorption of copper and thereby contribute to the development of anemia.

Despite the fact that pork is considered a very high-calorie and unhealthy food product, scientists claim many beneficial properties of Iberico ham. In addition to oleic acid, the Spanish delicacy contains many antioxidants, and the structure of its fatty acids fully corresponds to the monounsaturated acids of vegetable oils. Therefore, most nutritionists consider jamon to be natural and healthy food. According to experts, it is enough to eat 2-3 servings of a delicacy per week if one serving equals 100 grams.

Jamon is a natural source of not only fats but also protein with B vitamins. Moreover, it contains a lot of minerals such as phosphorus, iron, potassium and calcium. Also, the Spanish delicacy is rich in a substance such as tyrosine, which is formed under the influence of the drying process on proteins. With the help of tyrosine, the human body can easily remove accumulated subcutaneous fat and stimulate the adrenal glands. Jamon is also useful for the normal functioning of the pancreas. And with regular use of pork ham, general blood circulation improves.

Can Iberico Ham Be Bad For You?

Is Iberico ham bad for you? Iberico ham is only bad for you if you have individual pork intolerance. Even though Iberico ham is considered a dietary product, it is still not recommended for people with hypertension, atherosclerosis and diseases of the digestive system.

It is undesirable to eat jamon for those who have problems with the kidneys, liver and stomach. An excessive amount of consumed meat delicacy can bring harm to the body. It is also contraindicated in the presence of high cholesterol levels and diabetes mellitus. And nutritionists do not recommend getting involved in jamon for people prone to gaining excess weight.

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