If you’re new to the world of Wagyu beef, you may look at its famously marbled fat content and think, “That can’t be healthy.” Actually, it can—and it is! When you invest in a good Wagyu roast, you treat yourself not only to superior taste, but also to unique health benefits. It’s not as simple as believing that all fats are bad, or that if something tastes amazing, there’s got to be a catch. There’s no catch here: Wagyu beef is healthy and packed with monounsaturated fatty acids. It makes a decadent dinner any day of the week. Let’s look at a few of the important health benefits of Wagyu beef.

Vitamins, Minerals, and Protein

Remember the food pyramid from school? One of the most critical building blocks is protein, which we can find in eggs, nuts, legumes—and meat! Wagyu beef isn’t all fat; it’s extremely high in protein and it’s a delicious way to get that serving into your meal. Some people are wary of having too much red meat in their diet, but the benefits of Wagyu make this beef worth it.

Iron is also a crucial element of a healthy diet, and Wagyu beef is positively packed with it. If you find yourself sluggish from an iron deficiency, grab a Wagyu roast from Lone Mountain Wagyu and replenish those iron levels. Wagyu beef is also a prime supplier of B vitamins. Beef up your vitamin intake!

The vast majority of Wagyu beef producers agree that extra minerals are essential to raising healthy cattle. We at Lone Mountain Wagyu feed our cattle healthy grain blends, and we take care to feed them slowly and incrementally instead of inducing rapid weight gain. We raise our cattle humanely and provide our customers with meat from healthy, happy cows. The health of the cow contributes to the health of the meat—and the health of its consumer.

Healthy Fat Content

The difference between saturated fats (the “bad” kind) and unsaturated fats (the “good” kind) has a direct effect on your cholesterol levels. Wagyu beef has a high concentration of monounsaturated fats, which your body can break down easily. These monounsaturated fatty acids (known as MUFAs) also lower the amount of low-density lipoproteins, or LDLs, in your system. The ratio of unsaturated fats to saturated fats in Wagyu beef is higher than that in almost any other meat.

LDLs are fatty acids that carry cholesterol around your body and often dump it on your artery walls. Arterial blockages can often lead to heart disease and cardiac events. HDLs (high-density lipoproteins), however, actually carry the cholesterol to your liver. The liver then metabolizes and eliminates that cholesterol from your body. Wagyu beef increases the amount of HDLs in your system—so eating a good cut of Wagyu roast beef can actually lower your risk of heart disease!

Thanks to its uniquely marbled fat, 100 percent Wagyu beef has a higher concentration of MUFAs, those monounsaturated fatty acids, than any other meat in the country. Eating meats high in MUFAs is proven to be healthier than a diet of lean meats. You can also find MUFAs in nuts and olive oil.

Let’s take a closer look at those fatty acids. Wagyu beef is packed with all the essential amino acids, including all the omega-3s and omega-6s you’ve probably heard about. Omega-3s are crucial to building strong cell walls everywhere in your body, including the heart, lungs, and brain. That’s right: not only are you doing your heart a favor by choosing Wagyu beef, but you’re also improving brain function and lung health. Omega-6 fatty acids assist HDLs in clearing “bad” cholesterol from your body, and they also assist in improving brain health. Wagyu beef may make you more alert and stave off sluggishness and depression. Bring a smile to your face by digging into a Wagyu roast or burger.

What Is CLA?

Conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA for short, is another fatty acid found in Wagyu beef. Wagyu has a higher concentration of CLA than beef from other cattle breeds. In fact, Wagyu beef contains more CLA per gram than most other foods in general! This fatty acid is another important assistant in fighting off heart disease.

Health food stores often sell CLA as a weight loss supplement, but it’s particularly effective when you consume food that contains it naturally. Your body most easily absorbs nutrients directly from your diet, as opposed to supplements.

You may see a great deal of fat running through the muscle in your Wagyu roast, but don’t fret. Your body knows that it’s good for you. Erase the stigma around fats and remind yourself that you need at least some fat to balance a healthy diet. Fats aren’t inherently bad! In fact, some are actively healthy for you. The decadent tenderness of Wagyu beef can actually lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Monounsaturated fatty acids have a lower fat melting point, which contributes to that smooth, tender texture. The better your Wagyu beef tastes and feels in your mouth, the better it is for you. Substitute your regular beef products with Wagyu, and you may find yourself losing extra body fat and maintaining a healthy weight.

Whether you’re in the market for sausages, burgers, or a good roast, consider replacing your grocery store beef with prime cuts from Lone Mountain Wagyu. The benefits are many and varied, including a healthy dose of iron and a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. When you taste your first bite of Wagyu, you may think that it’s too good to be true. But those are the facts: fatty, tender, delicious meats can also be a source of important health benefits. Don’t be afraid of fat or red meat. Learn how different amino acids work in your body, and you can make informed decisions about your diet. As you do, add some room in your fridge for a top-quality cut of beef courtesy of Lone Mountain Wagyu. Now that you’ve learned a few of the important health benefits of Wagyu beef, give a delicious Wagyu roast a try at your next family dinner.