What is Zinc?
Zinc is a nutrient that is found all throughout your body and aids in the functioning of your immune system and metabolism. Zinc is also necessary for healing wounds and the development of your senses.
Zinc is an essential mineral that your body utilizes in a variety of ways. It is the second-most prevalent trace mineral in the body, behind iron, and it is found in every cell. Zinc is required for the operation of more than 300 enzymes, key metabolic, digestive, transmission of nerve impulses, and a variety of other functions. It also plays an essential role in the advancement and operation of immune cells. Skin health, DNA synthesis, and protein formation are all dependent on this mineral. Furthermore, zinc is required for body development and growth due to its role in cell expansion.
Your body normally obtains enough zinc from a diverse diet like chicken, red meat, and grain products. Zinc can also be obtained by consuming zinc supplemental products.
Chicken is a popular food in almost every corner of the world. So, we can speculate that, thanks to its popularity, people generally don’t really have much zinc deficiency. But how much zinc does chicken meat really have? Let’s go through some points about chicken meat.
Zinc in poultry
Zinc can be found in many types of food. Poultry is one of the primary sources of zinc that people consume. Zinc currently has a well-established role in antioxidation, growth and development, production, immunity, and stress management. Its supplementation can help with immunity, endocrine secretion, and interactions with other minerals in the gut.
Chicken, particularly dark meat like the legs and thighs, is a wonderful way to ensure you receive enough zinc in your diet. Chicken thighs contain more than one milligram of zinc per three-ounce meal, making them an excellent complement to your weekly menu.
In general, chicken thighs are less expensive than chicken breasts. They’re also more delicious and have higher levels of some micronutrients, such as zinc. A portion of chicken thigh meat provides 15% of your daily requirements, but a plate of chicken breast only provides 6%. You might be converted if you try substituting thighs for your normal chicken breast supper—whether roasted, grilled, or skillet.
Average content in chicken
According to research, under the general overview of chickens, the average (or more accurately, the arithmetic mean) amount of zinc present in 100 g of chicken is 2.65 milligrams of zinc. This average amount in your diet corresponds to 17.67% of the suggested dietary intake. Chicken that is broiled, fried, cooked or stewed has a median zinc content of 2.38 mg per 100g. This is equivalent to 16% of the daily amount recommended. For such servings, the number of calories equals 207 kcal.
From here, we can see that chicken is one of the essential food in providing zinc to the average citizen. With the popularity of chicken in fast-food and restaurant menus, it is very unlikely that anyone could get a zinc deficiency. Hurry up and get your daily zinc supplement from those juicy chickens.