Bratwurst vs Hot dog - Health impact and Nutrition Comparison

Summary

Bratwursts are relatively richer in Vitamins. The amount of Vitamins B1 is five times higher in them than in hot dogs. Bratwursts also contain less sodium and saturated fats. On the other hand, hot dogs contain more minerals and folate, less sugar and cholesterol.

Introduction

Sausages are one of the common forms of processed food. In particular, hot dogs are trendy worldwide; they are served everywhere. We are going to compare hot dogs and bratwursts, focusing on their nutrition and health impact.

Bratwurst is a type of German sausage that is commonly made with pork or beef. Hot dogs also have their roots in Germany; they are made with pork, beef, or chicken.

What's The Actual Difference?

The most significant difference between hot dogs and bratwurst is the flavor. These products have different spices that give them their unique flavor.

In general, hot dogs are more processed than bratwurst. Besides, hot dogs may contain more sodium and preservatives. You can make hot dogs with pork, beef, chicken, or turkey. Hot dog meat is emulsified into a paste; therefore, it may have a very smooth texture.

Production

During the processing of hot dogs, the meat is mixed with a curing solution to improve the taste and increase the shelf life. The main ingredient is salt. It is used to make the meat easier to handle, improve flavor, and inhibit bacterial growth.

Usually, the meat of bratwurst is crushed, salted, seasoned with spices, and pressed into the intestines in the form of a shell; then, they hang it in a meat cellar to keep it cool.

Varieties

There are many different types of hot dogs and so many ways to serve them. The most popular types are:

• Kuuma Koira (traditional Finnish street food).
• Ripper.
• Reindeer dog ( Alaskan hot dog variety).

Bratwurst has a variety that is called white bratwurst.

Nutrition

To understand the differences in the nutrition of hot dogs and bratwursts, we created a nutrition infographic, have a look below. The food varieties used in this article are bratwurst, beef and pork, smoked, and Frankfurter meat.

Macronutrients

Comparing these two products, hot dogs contain more fats, including polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

Also, it has more cholesterol. On the other hand, bratwursts contain more protein. Both contain no fiber and sugars.

Carbs

Hot dogs are higher in carbs compared to bratwursts. Hot dogs contain two times the number of carbs as bratwursts. It is important to note that both products are considered high in carbohydrates.

Calories

Overall, the calories of hot dogs and bratwursts are pretty similar. They contain 297 calories per 100g, whereas hot dogs contain 290 calories per 100g. Nevertheless, the calories level of bratwursts is a bit higher than in hot dogs.

Minerals

Bratwurst is richer in potassium and zinc. The level of sodium is 22% less in it than in hot dogs. On the other hand, pepperoni is richer in calcium, phosphorus, and copper. The amount of calcium is 14 times higher in hot dogs. Both have equal levels of magnesium and iron.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

Bratwurst

3

:

4

Hot dog

Contains more Potassium +86.2%

Contains less Sodium -22.2%

Contains more Zinc +105.8%

Contains more Calcium +1314.3%

Contains more Phosphorus +58.5%

Contains more Copper +21.3%

Equal in Iron - 1.09

Equal in Magnesium - 15

Bratwurst

Hot dog

Contains more Potassium +86.2%

Contains less Sodium -22.2%

Contains more Zinc +105.8%

Contains more Calcium +1314.3%

Contains more Phosphorus +58.5%

Contains more Copper +21.3%

Equal in Iron - 1.09

Equal in Magnesium - 15

Vitamins

Generally, bratwursts contain significantly higher concentrations of Vitamin B1, as opposed to hot dogs. Bratwursts are also high in Vitamin B12, Vitamins B2, Vitamin B5, and B6. On the other hand, hot dogs are higher in folate. Bratwursts and hot completely lack Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and Vitamin D.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

Bratwurst

6

:

2

Hot dog

Contains more Vitamin B1 +590.9%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +76%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +16.7%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +122.6%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +20.5%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +70.1%

Contains more Folate +50%

Bratwurst

Hot dog

Contains more Vitamin B1 +590.9%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +76%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +16.7%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +122.6%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +20.5%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +70.1%

Contains more Folate +50%

Glycemic Index

Generally, the glycemic index of a food is a value based on how quickly a food causes increases in blood glucose levels. The glycemic index of bratwursts and hot dogs is equal; it is 28. Both products are considered low glycemic index food.

Acidity

The acidity level of bratwursts is about 4.4, while chorizo has 7.8. Both are acidic.

Health Benefits

Beneficial Nutrients

Hot dogs and bratwursts offer several essential nutrients beneficial to the body. They both are good sources of protein. 100 g of each of these products contains 11-12 g protein, 12% of the daily recommended intake for adults. Protein is essential for the development and repair of solid muscles. Also, it helps to reduce the loss of muscle mass that often occurs with age. The protein type in hot dogs and bratwursts is complete, meaning they offer the amino acids our bodies need [1].

Ketogenic (Keto) Diet

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb and high-fat diet that includes foods with high protein. Eating meat, including fatty meats such as pork belly, lamb, and poultry, is recommended if you are on this diet. Bratwursts contain fewer carbs than hot dogs and are a good source of protein. Hot dogs are more affluent in fats. If you're on this diet, eating hot dogs and bratwursts is not an issue, but in any case, try to combine it with a natural source of healthy fats [2]․

Side Effects

Hot dogs and bratwursts are rich in several vitamins and minerals; nevertheless, they are also rich in sodium and saturated fats. That means it is better to avoid them as part of some diets. Try to avoid them if you are on low calories and low fats diet.

Cardiovascular Health

The daily recommended intake of sodium is 2.3 g. In particular, our body needs only a tiny amount of sodium to function correctly; too much sodium can be bad for your health. According to studies, sodium intake may increase the risk of high blood pressure, a significant cause of stroke and heart disease [3]. One medium-sized hot dog provides 21% of the daily recommended sodium intake, and that's not counting everything else you eat throughout the day.

Diabetes

Research shows a link between eating red meat, mainly processed meats, and type 2 diabetes. Compared to women who eat less red meat, women who often eat red meat have an almost one-third higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to the study. Daily consumption of processed meats, scorching dogs is associated with a 43% increased risk of type 2 diabetes in women in a health study [4].

Allergy

Overall, two reasons can cause allergies to hot dogs and bratwursts. One of them is an allergy to red meat, and the other is an allergy to paprika.

Red Meat Allergy

Red meat allergy is a common allergy type, including any age group and race. People can have an allergic reaction to red meat if they are sensitive to cat serum albumin that cross-reacts with albumin in pork. Symptoms include urticaria, vomiting, and stomach cramps, in rare cases, anaphylaxis [5].

Paprika Allergy

In general, paprika allergy symptoms are rare, but they can lead to anaphylaxis, so it is essential to get tested if you usually have food allergies. Common symptoms include dizziness, hives, and swelling of the throat [6].

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0309174009002514
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871403X07000816
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0033062006000831
4. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/1697785
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6488443/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4954633/