Wagyu Beef 101: Health Benefits, Cost, and More!
Are you tired of the often bland and flavorless cuisine that accompanies a healthy diet? Are you looking to enhance your health and fitness? If so, look no further than Wagyu beef to get those taste buds exploding while still eating something that won’t have you feeling guilty later. This delicious and nutritious superfood is packed with benefits that you may not have even known existed.
You may be thinking there’s no way Wagyu can be healthy with its marbled fat content and rich buttery umami taste, but it is. Wagyu beef is packed with monounsaturated fatty acids and other beneficial nutrients essential to keep your body in tip-top shape. It is the perfect addition to your diet for a decadent, flavorful meal that feels like cheating but isn’t!
The basics
If you are not already familiar with this luxurious ingredient, Wagyu is a breed of cattle native to Asia, the term referring to all Japanese cows. With its unique taste and tenderness, Japanese Wagyu quickly gained popularity across the United States. Cooks, fine dining restaurants, and aspiring chefs all over praise the tenderness and deliciousness of a quality Wagyu steak.
Want to know the secret that makes Wagyu so tender and delicious? Wagyu beef contains small and consistent distributions of fat that ensure juiciness and flavor. Marbling typically begins at about one year of age and reaches its peak at about three years old. Because of this, Wagyu beef is typically butchered at about 36 months of age to ensure prime marbling. Similar to typical cattle, Wagyu also comes in quality grades. The highest yield and meat quality grade is A5 Wagyu beef. Kobe beef would fall under the category of A5 Wagyu beef.
Wagyu beef nutrition facts
Protein and iron
Protein is a critical building block for anyone pursuing a healthy lifestyle through their diet. Protein and iron are essential in transporting oxygen throughout the body to maintain weight and energy. The benefits of protein have long been recognized for building muscle, maintaining a healthy weight, boosting metabolism, ensuring healthy brain function, and much more. Meat is a prime source of protein, and Wagyu is extremely high in protein and iron. So, ditch the boring egg white omelet and grab yourself a cut of juicy Wagyu instead for a more satisfying protein-rich source.
In conjunction with protein, iron has a number of essential benefits as well. Iron is a proponent of red blood cell production supporting the immune system, aids in improving cognition, and boosts hemoglobin levels. Do you know what’s iron-rich and delicious? That’s right, Wagyu!
Vitamins A and E
The benefits of this decadent meat don’t stop at protein and iron. Wagyu beef encompasses double the supply of vitamin A and three times the amount of vitamin E than typical cattle. Vitamin A is important for promoting normal vision, boosting the immune system, reproduction, and growth and development. It also aids in ensuring the proper function of your heart and lungs. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, removing free radicals from the body that can cause damage to cells. With so many health benefits, why wouldn’t you incorporate this nutrient-rich protein into your diet?
Do your body a favor; come join us for dinner, and dine on a tender cut of nutrient-rich Wagyu!
Omega fatty acids, carotene, and CLA
For those unaware of the difference in fats, saturated fat is the one you want to avoid. It is the one that every dietician tells you to stay away from, as it creates high cholesterol levels. Unsaturated fats are the “good” fats. The high concentration of monounsaturated fats such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 found in Wagyu can aid in lowering the amount of low-density lipoproteins and increase the amount of high-density lipoproteins. The result of this occurrence is a lower risk of heart disease.
Wanting to reduce your risk of cancer and other serious health conditions? Studies have indicated that eating foods containing beta carotene, CLA, Omega-3, and Omega-6 fatty acids reduces the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. A good source of these essential vitamins and fats? Wagyu! Wagyu cattle have the richest concentration of these health-promoting agents. And the health benefits don’t stop there. Omega-3 and Omega-6 are also believed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s. The fatty acids contained in this unique meat aren’t just essential for overall health and well-being but also create a flavor that is second to none.
Excited to try Wagyu for yourself? View our menu and see what we have to offer at Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant.
Cost
If you’ve ever seen Wagyu on a menu, it was likely one of the most expensive choices. We don’t deny that Wagyu, while probably the best steak you’ll ever eat, comes with a hefty price tag. The cow itself is typically worth around $30,000 at auction. You can expect to pay upwards of $200 per pound for top-quality Wagyu raised in Japan.
However, with more breeders becoming available in the American Southwest, Wagyu has become slightly more affordable. For an eight-ounce steak, the price hovers around $60. We are aware that it’s still a pretty steep price for one piece of meat, but once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s worth the price.
Wagyu beef at Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant
If you’re in the market for new staples to add to your diet to improve your overall health and wellness, consider adding Wagyu beef to your list! Whether your goal is to build muscle, lose or maintain weight, boost your immune system, reduce your risk of developing serious medical conditions, or all of the above, this superfood is the choice for you. With its buttery umami flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, Wagyu is sure to be your new favorite nutrient-rich protein. Give it a try today at one of the many steak and seafood restaurants in Las Vegas and discover the amazing health benefits for yourself!
Want more than just Wagyu as a healthy meal option? We offer seafood and more on the Vegas Strip!
For more information on health-conscious cuisine options, check out one of our many blogs that discuss a variety of food health topics and benefits:
Don’t Miss Out on the Best Seafood in Las Vegas!
Cod is a nutritious fish that is high in protein and low in fat. It is a firm fish with a flaky texture and has a mild flavor that is delicate and slightly sweet. Cod is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. When buying cod, look for fish with bright eyes, pink gills, and firm flesh. Avoid cod with cloudy eyes, dull coloring, or a strong fishy odor. Fresh cod can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. Cooked cod can be frozen for up to six months.
Seafood is one of the most popular types of cuisine, but it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to choosing a dish. Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant is the perfect spot for seafood lovers of all experience levels. Come join us for dinner and see why we’re the best in town!
