Health Benefits of Grass-fed Lamb

February 12, 2021

There are tons of academic articles that report on the health and environmental benefits of 100% grass-fed meat. Through all the online chatter, it can be hard to hone in on what you actually need to know. Let’s discuss the benefits of grass fed lamb on your diet and nutrition, so that you have all the information.

Compared to commercially raised counterparts in grain feedlots, pasture-raised lamb has 14% less fat, 8% more protein content, and 50% more ALA omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are known to help with reducing blood pressure, decreasing heart disease risk, and more. In some landlocked regions where seafood and other sources of omega-3 acids are inaccessible, lamb is sometimes identified as the next best source in their diets.

It is important to note that a grass-fed diet is beneficial to the lamb’s general wellbeing, as well as our own nutrition. Lambs are naturally intended to graze on pasture with completely grass-based diets, while commercial operations turn to grain feed in order to grow lambs faster within a shorter period of time.

However, these grains are not always compatible with the animal’s digestive system and can sometimes cause upsets and metabolic issues. That is why NIKU Farms only works with farms that raise their animals on pasture and feed their livestock 100% grass diets.

Lambs raised on pasture have 14% less fat, 8% more protein, and 50% more omega-3 than lambs raised in gain feedlots. These fatty acids are known to help with reducing blood pressure, decreasing heart disease risk, and have many more health benefits. This makes lamb is the best source of omega-3 fatty acids for landlocked regions where seafood is harder to come by.

Lamb is also rich in vitamin B12, selenium, zinc, and vitamin B3. Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nerves and blood cells, in particular, your brain. Without adequate amounts of B12 in your diet, it could lead to neurological complications.

Zinc boosts immune system functions, selenium protects your thyroid and metabolism, and vitamin B3 lowers cholesterol. It’s clear that lamb is full of vitamins and minerals that will make your body happy!

Grass-fed lamb has a more intense flavour than commercial options because of their full grass diets. This is relevant because lamb is known for its distinctive flavour that comes from a fat component called ‘indoles’.

If you want to try grass-fed lamb, but you are skeptical about lamb’s intense flavour, we suggest letting it soak in buttermilk overnight before cooking. This will help breakdown the intensity in your lamb and will result in a milder taste that your whole family will love.

You also have the option to choose your cuts based on flavour. Cuts from the shank, shoulder, chops, and stew meat have more flavour intensity due to its higher fat content. The rack of lamb, loin chops, and lamb ribs tend to have less fat content and taste sweeter than other cuts of the animal. See what our pasture raised lamb farmers currently have to offer on our website here.

Take a look at our previous article, where we narrow down how grass-finished beef benefits you and the science behind it.