Chicken and beef are both some of the most popular meats around the world. They are both used for many different dishes and are extremely versatile in what can be made with them. However, they are very different, and that plays into their health benefits too!
Chicken comes (obviously) from chicken meat. It is the second most popular meat in the world, with its production being tripled in the last 50 years. Chicken has a higher protein content than beef, as well as a lower amount of fat. Additionally, the fat in chicken is mostly polyunsaturated, which is the healthier type of fat. Chicken contains more of certain vitamins, such as A, K, E, and specific types of vitamin B. However, it has an equal amount of vitamin D, and has less vitamin B12 and folate than beef. Further more, it lacks greatly in certain minerals, such as iron, zinc, calcium, copper, and potassium. There has been some evidence that consuming chicken could decrease the risk of getting certain cancers, however the studies are inconclusive, as well as contradict other studies which claim that chicken consumption increases the risk for cancer.
Beef comes from cow meat. It comes third on the list of most popular meats around the world, with its production actually dropping in recent years. It has a lower amount of protein and a higher amount of fat than chicken, specifically saturated fats. Though it lacks in some vitamins, it is way richer in many minerals than chicken. Additionally, it also lower in sodium than chicken. Eating red meats often, such as beef, is not recommended as they can cause a number of issues in the cardiovascular system. In fact, chicken is recommended over red meats due to its lower amount of saturated fatty acids. However, there are certain cuts of beef, such as lean cuts, that are recommended over others. There are studies that found eating red meats, specifically processed red meats, can increase the risk of developing certain cancers.
Overall, chicken is the slightly healthier option due to its lower risk factor. However, if both are eaten in moderation, they can provide great health benefits to the body!