Can Beef Cause Constipation?

Just as there are foods out there that can lower your chances of constipation, there are also foods that can increase your chances. Among the prime suspects is beef. Meats such as beef, pork and lamb do not fare very well in the human digestive system. Dairy products and wheat can also cause constipation. Individuals with sensitive systems can feel sluggish and bloated after eating meat. They can also find themselves constipated shortly after eating it.

With the current crop of popular protein-rich and low-carb diets flooding the markets, there will probably be a dramatic increase in constipation cases. What is it about beef that affects so many digestive systems?

The Beef About Beef

Beef has certain identifying proteins within its chemical composition that can cause problems with the digestive system of someone who has Irritable Bowel Syndrome. In the lining of the intestines, there are millions of nerves that control the movement of the food waste. The proteins within beef have an almost narcotic effect on those nerves. The nerves fail to do their job and the waste stays where it’s at, causing constipation.

Another way that eating beef can cause constipation is when it’s not cooked properly. Some beef has parasites within it that don’t get killed when the beef is under-cooked. When you eat the under-cooked beef, the parasites are allowed entrance into your body and once there, they wreck havoc. The parasites multiply and eventually cover the lining of the intestine, making it nearly impossible for nutrients to be absorbed into the body. They can also block the alimentary canal and actually stop the food waste from leaving the body.

Beef is best eaten when it is cooked medium-rare to medium. At that stage, it can still be broken down by the acids in the stomach. When beef is cooked well-done, it is very hard for the body to break it down and digest it properly. When the beef isn’t broken down and digested, it just sits there in the digestive system, blocking everything up.

Interesting tidbit - When someone is sensitive to beef, they are almost always sensitive to milk and dairy products. The fact that the milk comes from the same place as the beef, it’s no surprise!

Does That Mean I Have To Give Up My Hamburgers?

There are ways to lower your chances of constipation that still allow you to enjoy your burgers or steaks. First and foremost, you need to make sure your beef is cooked thoroughly before eating it. Here are a few details describing what internal temperature your meats should be cooked to, to be considered safe to eat:

• Beef Hamburgers—160 degrees
• Beef, Lamb and Veal (steaks, chops and roasts)---Medium Rare-145 degrees, Medium-160 degrees

• Weak immune system
• Mood swings
• Bad breath and body odor
• Backaches
• Weight problems and loss of appetite