Does grass-fed beef have any heart-health benefits that other types of beef don't?
Possibly. What cattle eat affects the nutrients and fats in beef. Grass-fed beef comes from cattle that eat grass and other foraged foods throughout their lives.
Conventional beef comes from cattle that eat a diet of grains, such as corn, at some point. Conventional beef also is called grain-fed beef.
When compared with other types of beef, grass-fed beef may have some heart-health benefits, including:
- Lower total fat content.
- More heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
- More of a special kind of omega-6 fatty acid called conjugated linolenic acid (CLA).
- More antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin E.
But grass-fed beef and grain-fed beef both contain saturated fat. Research has linked this type of fat to high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. LDL also is known as the "bad" cholesterol. Because of this, the American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat.
When choosing beef, whether it's grass-fed beef or another type of beef, opt for lean beef. Lean beef has 10% fat or less. Grass-fed beef often is more expensive than conventional grain-fed beef. Also, long-term research is limited to prove with certainty that grass-fed beef is better for you. Talk to your healthcare professional or dietitian if you're thinking about adding more beef into your diet. This includes lean and grass-fed beef.
Show References
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- Nogoy KMC, et al. Fatty acid composition of grain- and grass-fed beef and their nutritional value and health implication. Food Science of Animal Resources. 2022; doi:10.5851/kosfa.2021.e73.
- Ruxton CHS, et al. Animal board invited review: The contribution of red meat to adult nutrition and health beyond protein. Animal: An International Journal of Animal Bioscience. 2024; doi:10.1016/j.animal.2024.101103.
- Spears ML, et al. Comparative impact of organic grass-fed and conventional cattle-feeding systems on beef and human postprandial metabolomics — A randomized clinical trial. Metabolites. 2024; doi:10.3390/metabo14100533.
- Mortensen EG, et al. Nutrient analysis of raw and cooked USDA prime beef cuts. Nutrients. 2024; doi:10.3390/nu16172912.
- Ashin M, et al. Soil and pasture health underlie improved beef nutrient density determined by untargeted metabolomics in southern US grass finished beef systems. NPJ Science of Food. 2025; doi:10.1038/s41538-025-00471-2.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/expert-answers/grass-fed-beef/faq-20058059