Posted on 8th Mar 2012 @ 5:59 PM

Drying is among the oldest techniques of preserving food. Until now, many people use heat to remove moisture from food and kill food-borne microorganisms that can cause spoilage. The term "jerky" originally came from the Native South American word ch’arki which means "to burn". Jerky is simply a dried, protein-rich strip of meat, usually lean meat.


Beef jerky has always been the favorite snack of health-conscious individuals. For these people, choosing beef jerky as their snack is a wise decision because the high protein content of jerky makes them full for prolonged periods. In addition, the body can get around 80 calories, 12 grams of protein, and seven grams of fat with just an ounce of jerky. If you’re wondering about the facts of beef jerky nutrition, below are some jerky health information that you might find very helpful.

•  Potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, and sodium are some minerals found in beef jerky. Traces of other minerals may likewise be found in beef jerky. One must be mindful about the sodium content of beef jerky, however, because around 600 mg of sodium is contained in just an ounce of jerky. This means that even with a small serving, you’re already nearing your RDA for sodium.
• On the contrary, it is really worth stating that beef jerky is packed with zinc. The zinc content of an ounce of beef jerky is around 2.5 mg, or 20 percent of the 20 mg FDA daily value. Zinc is a mineral that improves the body’s immune response to infection. It is also vital in repairing damaged tissues. Without zinc, a person will suffer from impaired healing as well as impaired sense of taste and smell.
• Beef jerky is a great source of vitamins such as Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, pantothenic acid, and folate. Please note that although jerky is loaded with folate (as shown by beef jerky nutrition facts), pregnant women are advised to keep their jerky intake at a minimum because of its very high sodium content.

Beef jerky nutrition facts reveal how much a bag of beef jerky can supply the body with essential nutrients. If taken in appropriate amounts, beef jerky can be very beneficial to your health.