Is it safe to eat steak with blood?

This brief article will answer the questions: is it safe to eat steak with blood, what are the risks involved with eating steak with blood, what is steak, what is blood, what is the nutrient composition of steak, and how steak is prepared for consumption. 

Is it safe to eat steak with blood?

Steak with blood is not safe to eat as it may contain microbial contaminants such as Listeria monocytogenes that may be detrimental to your health. It may also harbor zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis, anthrax and parasitic worms. 

What are the risks associated with eating steak with blood?

It poses a threat of acquiring salmonellosis. It is mainly characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, fever and stomach pains. It is caused by infection by Salmonella spp. It can be prevented by proper cooking of the meat and good preservation. It is a treatable infection. 

It also poses a threat of acquiring listeriosis. It is caused by Listeria monocytogenes. This infection is capable of causing death in children if not treated. It is similar to salmonellosis. It is easily treatable by the use of antibiotics. 

Eating steak with blood may predispose you to acquiring parasitic infections such as giardiasis. These infections are caused by cysts or parasitic eggs found in blood. They cause cysts and may lead to anemia and development of cysts in the brain. 

It may also predispose you to campylobacteriosis, brucellosis, and anthrax. Campylobacteriosis causes sterility in the long term. Anthrax is hazardous and can lead to death. Brucellosis is not as hazardous and can be easily treated. 

What is steak?

This is meat obtained/sliced across the muscle fibers and potentially inclusive of a bone. It is prepared by grilling, and frying. The common steaks are beef steaks, bison, camel, goat, and kangaroo meat. 

They are well seasoned before cooking by using various sauces such as bearnaise suce, compound butters, mustard, horseradish cream, pepper, rosemary, sauteed mushrooms,and  worcestershire sauce. 

What is the nutrient composition of steak?

Steak is a good source of calories and they range from 200-250 kcal. The table below shows the concentration of various elements in steak:

Nutrients Concentration per 100g
Fats 14g
Cholesterol 80g
Sodium 62mg
Potassium 423 mg 
Proteins 27g
Vitamins 40% per dietary value
Magnesium and calcium8% per dietary value 
Iron 5% per dietary value

Steak is rich in high-density lipoproteins which are the best alternative as compared to the other low-density lipoproteins which lead to heavy blood thickness and cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol is used in the making of cell walls during cell division for example in growth and development.

Steak contains a high level of proteins that act as building blocks in the body and they aid in body repair by the provision of required amino acids. Steak also has sodium and potassium which serves as an electrolyte and is essential in maintaining osmotic pressure and facilitating nerve impulse transmission. 

It also contains traces of magnesium, calcium, and iron. These are essential nutrients that are immune boosters.

How is steak prepared for consumption?

Steak can be prepared in the following ways.

  • The steak is first sourced from an authorized butcher or slaughter house. This ensures meat safety according to the government’s regulations. 
  • The steak can be seasoned. You can use any of your favorite seasoning sauces as per your taste. 
  • The steak is freezed for about 45 minutes to allow full seasoning. 
  • The steak can then be cooked on high temperatures either by grilling or frying. The recommended cooking temperature is set at 125℉

For more fun ways to cook steak check here

Conclusion. 

This brief article has answered the questions: is it safe to eat steak with blood, what are the risks involved with eating steak with blood, what is steak, what is blood, what is the nutrient composition of steak, and how steak is prepared for consumption.

Citations. 

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-steak-on-the-stovetop-240330

https://en.maillard.co/blogs/articles/does-your-meat-contain-blood#:~:text=The%20myth%20is%20now%20debunked,being%20disgusted%20by%20%22blood%22.

https://vocal.media/feast/is-that-blood-in-my-steak

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-the-blood-in-steak_n_57fc0219e4b0e655eab6eb36

Leave a Comment