SOURCE OF HEALTH
The quality of our Ibérico Pork Hams, and especially their composition, make them a highly recommendable food for our health and wellbeing. A standard of the healthy Mediterranean diet.
The key is in the nutrition of our Ibérico pigs, which is based on acorns that contain high levels of sugars and fatty acids that are beneficial for our bodies.
It’s a true privilege for our health...and palate.
Benefits of Iberian pork products
Lower cholesterol and triglycerides
Ibérico pork ham facilitates the production of HDL (good cholesterol) in the body, and reduces LDL (bad cholesterol). Diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.
Clinical studies in which Ibérico pork ham was included in the diet of older people found major declines in plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.
Garcia Rebollo et al. (1998)
Physiology Department. School of Medicine. University of Extremadura
Rich in antioxidants
Scientific studies have concluded that consuming acorn-fed Ibérico pork ham increases the concentration of antioxidant substances.
These substances come from the natural grass that the pigs eat during the fattening stage and help prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Mayoral et al., 2003
University of Salamanca
Source of protein
Ibérico pork ham is an excellent source of protein because it contains the essential amino acids that are so important in hypocaloric diets and diets of low nutritional quality.
It is highly recommended for certain population groups with specific needs, like children, those in poor health and the elderly. The presence of animal protein in the diet helps with the absorption of minerals like iron.
Reig & Toldrá, 1998
Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology IATA CSIC (Valencia)
Source of minerals
Ibérico pork ham is a good source of iron and zinc, has substantial concentrations of phosphorous and potassium, and significant amounts of other minerals like magnesium and selenium which promote anti-aging processes.
F. Jiménez-Colmenero, J. Ventanas, F. Toldrá 2010
Great source of vitamins
Ibérico pork ham is an excellent source of B vitamins like: B1 (thiamine) related to appetite control and proper functioning of the nervous system; B2 (niacin), B6 and B12.
Higgs, 2000
P.O. Box 6057, Greens Norton, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8GG, UK
Presence of bioactive peptides
As a result of the curing reactions we can find bioactive peptides (antihypertensive and antioxidant) that improve immune response and have appetite-reducing effects after being consumed.
Sentandreu et al., 2003, Ventanas, 2006
Sentandreu, Aristoy, and Toldrá Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (CSIC)
University of Extremadura
Recommended for hypocaloric diets
100 grams of acorn-fed Ibérico pork ham provides around 335 calories, so a portion of 30 grams would provide around 100 calories.
World Health Organization, 2003
Heart-healthy nutrition
100% Ibérico pork ham helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood and helps with the formation of good cholesterol (HDL).
Mattson & Grundy, 1985
Under EU regulations, 100% Ibérico pork ham can be considered a natural source of minerals (iron, zinc, phosphorous, selenium) and vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamins B6 and B12), because it contains significant quantities (>15% than the recommended daily allowance for 100 g) of these micro-nutrients.
Directive 90/496/EEC, 2008
