Rabbit Meat vs Beef - Health impact and Nutrition Comparison

Summary

Rabbit meat is white meat richer in minerals vitamins B3 and B12. Beef is red meat richer in most vitamin B complex and zinc. Overall, rabbit meat is a healthier choice for cardiovascular health, metabolic health, and cancer. However, beef is a more balanced meat.

Introduction

Rabbit meat consumption is not as widespread as other sorts of meat consumption. Rabbit meat is frequently referred to as game meat, obtained during a hunt. However, they are usually grown as livestock on farms nowadays. Farm-bred rabbits are raised in the best ways for consumption regarding nutritional content. They are given highly nutritious meals and are kept away from dangers such as predators. They are less distressed, and their flesh is more tender than wild varieties.

Rabbit meat is categorized as poultry in terms of classification.

Beef is the meat that comes from cattle. Cattle that provide meat and domesticated have become part of humans' domestic animal life cycle nearly 8500 years ago.

Beef is considered the 3rd most consumed meat globally after pork and chicken. There are different cuts of beef and different types of beef available in the market. We will discuss these in general differences.

This article will compare rabbit meat to beef meat in terms of general differences, nutritional content, weight loss and diet, and health implications.

What are their general differences?

The general differences between rabbit meat and beef are based on taste, culinary world usage, price, classification, and types.

Taste

Beef and rabbit meat have different tastes and textures; even when it comes to beef, different cuts of the same beef might taste different.

Culinary world usage

Beef has a wider range of usage compared to rabbit meat. Beef can have different cuts for different usages. There are tender cuts used for steak and grilling, and there are cuts used for grounding the beef meat for burgers and other foods. We can also use beef in cooking.

On the other hand, Rabbit meat has limited usage compared to beef.

Price

Beef meat is cheaper than rabbit meat. Overall it is also more available in markets than rabbit meat.

Classification

Beef is classified as red meat, and rabbit meat is classified as white meat. These classifications have importance in their effects on health which we are discussed in further sections.

Types

Beef has a wide range of types: wagyu, Angus, limousine, brahman, etc. The most famous is the Angus. In addition to that, there are primal, subprimal, and retail cuts. We categorize the different cuts with different usages, tastes, and textures, such as chunk, shank, brisket, ribs, and others. Each of these is different, even in its nutritional contents.

On the other hand, rabbit meat doesn't have much variety as beef. Although it has farm-raised and wild rabbits with different nutritional profiles, rabbit meat is usually sold as a whole piece and not cuts.

Nutritional content comparison

This section will compare the nutritional content of both rabbit meat and beef according to their macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

Glycemic index

The glycemic index of both these foods is 0.

Calories

Beef is higher in calories compared to rabbit meat. Beef contains approximately 1.5 times more calories.

Carbs

Beef and rabbit meat contain no carbohydrates, and their calories are composed of fats and proteins. This is a significant feature in certain diets.

Proteins

Both rabbit and beef are rich in protein and have rich amino acid compositions. On the other hand, Rabbit meat has 1.3 times the protein content of beef.

Fats

One of the essential characteristics of rabbit meat is its low-fat content. It has roughly five times the fat content of beef. The link between fat and protein in rabbit meat will be examined in the protein poisoning portion of the health effect section.

Saturated and unsaturated fats

Rabbit meat is lower in all sorts of fats since rabbit meat has five times less total fat than beef.

However, the fat distribution of beef is nearly divided between saturated fats and unsaturated fats.

Cholesterol

Beef contains more cholesterol than rabbit meat.

Minerals

Rabbit meat is richer in phosphorus, copper, magnesium, and iron. On the other hand, beef is richer in zinc. It is also important to note that beef is rich in iron; however, comparatively, rabbit meat contains more.

Below the mineral coverage charts are displayed to compare the content in each food.

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

Rabbit Meat

6

:

1

Beef

Contains more Iron +86.5%

Contains more Magnesium +47.6%

Contains more Phosphorus +21.2%

Contains less Sodium -37.5%

Contains more Copper +107.1%

Contains more Zinc +165.1%

Equal in Calcium - 18

Equal in Potassium - 318

Rabbit Meat

Beef

Contains more Iron +86.5%

Contains more Magnesium +47.6%

Contains more Phosphorus +21.2%

Contains less Sodium -37.5%

Contains more Copper +107.1%

Contains more Zinc +165.1%

Equal in Calcium - 18

Equal in Potassium - 318

Vitamin

Rabbit meat is richer in vitamin B3 and B12. Although it is important to mention that beef is very rich in vitamin B12, it is famous for being a good source of vitamin B12, which is a correct statement. However, when it comes to comparison, rabbit meat is richer in vitamin B12. Beef is richer in B6, B5, and B2.

Below the vitamin coverage charts are displayed to compare the content in each food.

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

Rabbit Meat

4

:

6

Beef

Contains more Vitamin E +241.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +19%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +146.6%

Contains more Vitamin K +25%

Contains more Vitamin A +∞%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +130%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +151.4%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +12.4%

Contains more Folate +12.5%

Rabbit Meat

Beef

Contains more Vitamin E +241.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +19%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +146.6%

Contains more Vitamin K +25%

Contains more Vitamin A +∞%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +130%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +151.4%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +12.4%

Contains more Folate +12.5%

Diet and weight loss

Rabbit meat and beef can be adjusted to consume a healthy balanced diet. However, sometimes beef can be turned into fatty burgers with high carbohydrates from condiments and high-fat amounts. In addition to that, the added salts should be taken into consideration.

Vegan

Vegans cannot consume rabbit meat or beef.

Keto

In the keto diet, rabbit and beef are ideal. They have no carbohydrates and a glycemic index of 0. They contain a lot of protein. However, because rabbit meat is high in protein and low in fat, it is vital to pair it with beneficial fats on the keto diet.

Bodybuilding

Both of these foods are ideal for bodybuilding. Beef is more accessible, cheaper, and balanced. Rabbit meat is also a good option for bodybuilding and is commonly used to lose fat and achieve a leaner physique; however, relying on rabbit meat as a protein source for an extended period is not recommended because it contains low fat and would cause more harm than good if consumed in excess.

Health impacts

Protein poisoning

Protein toxicity is one of the most serious consequences of eating rabbit meat. This is when there is a long period for rabbit meat-eating in conjunction with low-fat consumption. Rabbit meat is low in fat, and no to low fats are consumed in the remainder of the diet, resulting in a condition known as protein poisoning. To avoid this, rabbit meat should be served with butter or fat. (1)(2)

Cardiovascular health

White meats such as rabbits are a healthy alternative to red meat when it comes to the overall influence on cardiovascular health. Meat from rabbits lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. (3) Farm-raised rabbits on a healthy diet had higher levels of polyunsaturated fats, which lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, rabbit meat is one of the meats with the lowest salt content, which is good for hypertensive individuals. (4) (5)

Consumption of red meat like beef is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. (6)

Associating whole grains and vegetables with red meat decreases the risks of cardiovascular diseases which are associated with red meat. However, it is important to mention that beef should be consumed in moderation. (7)

Diabetes and metabolism

Gout

Consumption of rabbit meat and beef should be reduced for people who suffer from Gout arthritis. This is mainly due to their purine-rich nutritional profile. (8)

Diabetes and obesity

Rabbit and beef contain 0g of carbohydrates and a glycemic index of 0. As a result, they can be used as part of diets tailored to diabetes patients in order to regulate blood glucose and insulin levels. Furthermore, it lowers the chances of getting type 2 diabetes.

Linoleic acid, which is found in rabbit meat, lowers the risk of obesity and diabetes. (9)(10)(11)

Cancer

Linoleic acid, which is found in rabbit meat, has anti-cancer potential. Furthermore, rabbit meat is classified as white meat, linked to a lower risk of cancer growth. (11)(12)

Beef consumption is linked with increased risks of colorectal cancer development. However, as mentioned above, reducing the amount of beef consumed and associating it with vegetables and whole grains can reduce these risks. (7)

Tularemia

Tularemia is a zoonotic infection caused by bacteria (Francisella tularensis) and is usually connected with rabbit hunters and eaters of rabbit meat. Infection can be caused to contact with contaminated tissue during the skinning of rabbits or by eating infected meat. Transmission can also occur due to a tick bite on the animal's skin. (13)

References

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16779921/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3228431/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33672599/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257606/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28391629/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6756738/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33268459/
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30485934/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19239633/
10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289674478
11. http://cuniculture.info/Docs/
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6520977/
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430905/