Wild Boar Meat Benefits
Of all the wild food out there, wild boar is one of the more controversial meats. This is mainly due to the potential for contracting one of the diseases that are associated with it, but there are plenty of advantages to eating wild boar meat.
Overall, it is safe to eat when prepared correctly. It has a surprisingly exquisite flavor profile, can be prepared in a ton of different ways, and has an abundance of nutrients.
Health Benefits Of Eating Wild Boar
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a meal that tastes both amazing and is actually healthy for you. When compared to beef, pork, and chicken, wild boar provides the most protein while containing the least amount of cholesterol.
Some of the numerous health benefits, which rival those of other red meats, include:
- High protein content – an essential ingredient in building muscle
- Great source of monounsaturated fats – helps reduce bad cholesterol levels which are responsible for heart disease and stroke
- Low sodium – too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and a ton of other health problems
- Packed with B vitamins – B vitamins are responsible for healthy brain function, preventing certain neurological diseases, preventing the onset of cancer, managing stress, and a great source of energy
- Rich in phosphorus – helps with proper kidney function, nerve signaling, formation of bones and teeth, and is necessary for the body to create ATP.
- Rich in Selenium – an antioxidant that is associated with cancer prevention, reducing the risk of heart disease, promoting thyroid health, and healthy immune function.
- High iron content – aids in healthy pregnancies, overall energy, and athletic performance
- Packed with zinc – promotes healthy immune function, protects against vision loss, and helps combat osteoporosis
- Great source of creatine – helps muscle growth, function, performance, and may fight against certain neurological diseases including Parkinson’s disease
- Provides taurine – antioxidant and amino acid that helps maintain hydration and electrolyte balance, supports the central nervous system and eyes, and supports healthy immune function
- Contains glutathione – reduces oxidative stress, helps the liver and gallbladder function properly, supports healthy immune function, and helps with the symptoms and damage associated with liver disease, Parkinson’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
When you think of pig-related meats, like bacon, the word healthy isn’t usually the first word that comes to mind, but wild boar is a much healthier option when compared to pork.Â
As a leaner meat, it has fewer calories and less cholesterol than almost any popular pork cut.
Wild boar meat is actually a great option for people who lead especially active lifestyles like athletes, bodybuilders, and hunters.Â
It is also an excellent choice for people recovering from serious injuries because it is such a fantastic source of protein which is necessary for repairing and building muscles.Â
Related >> wild boar meat vs domestic pork
Wild Boar Are Free Of Antibiotics & Steroids
Farm-raised pigs, like most commercially produced meats, are frequently pumped full of antibiotics due to their economic benefits to the farmer in the long run. Some of these benefits include:
- Faster weight gain
- Lower mortality/morbidity rates
- Disease prevention
- Increased lactation performance
Commercial farming operations are less than ideal when it comes to cleanliness and overall living conditions for the animals. That is why it is always beneficial for both the consumer and the animal to eat ethically sourced, organic, or free-range meats when possible.
There is a worry, especially after COVID-19, that such prevalent and widespread use of these antibiotics is going to lead to more drug-resistant strains of bacteria and viruses, which will then spread to humans.
It doesn’t get more free and organic than harvesting your own wild game, choosing wild boar over their farm-raised counterparts will also reduce the demand for commercially harvested meat, in turn preventing future unforeseen health problems.
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Nutritional Profile Of Wild Boar
If you are looking for viable red meat that is packed with protein yet low in calories, sodium, and cholesterol, then wild boar is the choice for you. Wild boar is all the best parts of a pork product, the taste minus the guilt.
| Amount per 3.5 oz (100 g) | Daily Recommended Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 122 | 2000 |
| Total Fat | 3.33 g | 78 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.99 g | 20 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 1.78 g | 58 g |
| Omega-3s (EPA, DHA, ALA) | 480 mg | |
| Protein | 21.5 g | 50 g |
| Sodium | 157.5 mg | 2,300 mg |
| Cholesterol | 77.0 mg | 300 mg |
| Vitamin | Amount per 3.5 oz (100 g) | % Of Daily Recommended Value |
|---|---|---|
| B1 (Thiamin) | 0.39 mg | 21% |
| B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.11 mg | 9% |
| B3 (Niacin) | 4 mg | 21% |
| B6 | 0.4 mg | 32% |
| B12 (Cobalamin) | 0.7 ug | 29% |
| Choline | 116.4 mg | 22% |
| Mineral | Amount per 3.5 oz (100 g) | % Of Daily Recommended Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 16.00 mg | 1% |
| Copper | 0.06 mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1.12 mg | 14% |
| Magnesium | 27.0 mg | 6% |
| Phosphorus | 133 mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 396.0 mg | 8% |
| Selenium | 9.8 ug | 18% |
| Sodium | 60.0 mg | 3% |
| Zinc | 3.01 mg | 20% |
| Amino Acid | Amount | Amino Acid | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan | 0.4 g | Threonine | 1.3 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.4 g | Leucine | 2.3 g |
| Lysine | 2.8 g | Methionine | 0.7 g |
| Cystine | 0.4 g | Phenylalanine | 1.1 g |
| Tyrosine | 1 g | Valine | 1.5 g |
| Arginine | 1.9 g | Histidine | 1.4 g |
| Alanine | 1.7 g | Aspartic Acid | 2.6 g |
| Glutamic Acid | 4.4 g | Glycine | 1.3 g |
| Proline | 1.1 g | Serine | 1.2 g |
Flavor
Wild Boar has a unique taste that is quite different than that of domestic pork. Most hunters will agree that it isn’t really comparable to other meats, wild or commercial.
It can be described as having a strong flavor that is anything from nutty, sweet, or earthy depending on the animal’s diet and size.
Similar to many freshwater fish species, smaller boars are considered better tasting than their larger and older counterparts.
These creatures are omnivorous, and they will eat just about anything including snakes, rodents, insects, acorns, roots, and fruits.Â
Wild boars are like a terrestrial version of a catfish, when it comes to their diet, opportunistically eating anything in their immediate surroundings.
This is why they have such a complex flavor that can vary so much between each animal.Â
Boar that predominantly feed on fruits will have a sweeter flavor, while those that feed more on nuts and insects will have a richer and earthier flavor.
Related >> what does wild boar taste like
Overpopulation Means More Hunting Opportunities
Wild boar are prevalent throughout the US and they reproduce very fast. Feral hogs usually start breeding around 6 months of age. They have 1-2 litters per year, and average 5-6 piglets per litter.
They are known for polluting water sources, disturbing other wildlife, reducing forest health, and damaging agricultural operations.Â
This damage is estimated to be in the billions of dollars each year, so it’s pretty easy to see why this species is such a problem and needs to be culled.
This means that hunting this species is actually beneficial to the environment, and most states that allow feral hog hunting have no bag limit.
This provides a great opportunity for those who aren’t sure if they want to get into hunting or those who need to brush up on their skills.
Wild boar is both delicious and healthy, and until we can get boar populations under control hunting them is actually advantageous for boosting the health of the environment.
By taking advantage of boar overpopulation, you can actually help perpetuate the populations of other desirable game species like deer and turkey.
