There are plenty of scientific studies on how Serrano ham and Iberian ham affect cholesterol. There are differences between these two hams, basically due to the breed of pig and its diet.
There is a big difference in the fat content of a Serrano ham compared to an Iberian ham, and within the latter, you must also differentiate the type of food they have been fed.
Serrano Ham and Cholesterol
Serrano hams are obtained from white pigs. The main difference with Iberian hams, whether they are free-range or acorn-fed, is that Serrano hams come from intensive rearing, i.e. on farms, which means that they do not have the freedom to exercise daily and accumulate much more fat.
On the other hand, they are fed exclusively on feed and cereals, which, although they are of good quality, is not the same as eating wild fruits and herbs from the countryside.
In short, the fat in these hams has a higher content of saturated fatty acids, which is what should be avoided in order to increase cholesterol.
There is no need for alarm. A moderate consumption of 40 gr. daily, if your cholesterol is at normal levels, you don't have to worry, as Spanish ham provides a multitude of benefits, such as very high quality proteins; it contains minerals rich in iron and zinc, as well as being rich in vitamins B and D.
Iberian ham and cholesterol
Iberian breed pigs, as you know, are divided into 3 categories: Cebo, cebo de campo and bellota, but we are going to focus on the last two categories, which are the ones that provide the greatest benefits.
Thanks to free-range rearing, daily exercise, covering kilometres every day, and the diet, which is based on natural resources from the countryside during the fattening period, the result is leaner meat with a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, especially iberico de bellota jamon, with oleic acid levels similar to those of virgin olive oil.
Even though the meat is leaner, thanks to the capacity of Iberian pigs to infiltrate the fat at a muscular level, the result is much juicier hams compared to Serrano ham.
Scientific studies on cholesterol in Iberico ham
acorn-fed Iberian ham is good for cardiovascular health, according to a study carried out by the Juan Ramón Jiménez Hospital. Not only does it increase the concentration of good cholesterol or HDL, which helps to keep arteries in good condition, but its consumption also helps to significantly reduce bad cholesterol or LDL and does not cause weight gain. In fact, it is recommended in low-calorie diets.
In another study published by the Ramón y Cajal Hospital in Madrid in 2015, conclusions were drawn that it could be deduced that a moderate intake of acorn-fed Iberian ham can be beneficial for health and that, in addition, it helps to keep in shape. The study was carried out with 100 individuals between 25 and 55 years of age and included the consumption of 40 grams of acorn-fed ham per day.
In addition, we have very good news for pregnant women and cured ham consumption. You can see this article.
Buy jamon iberico online
In our shop Jamón Pasión, we have at your disposal not only acorn-fed Iberian hams, but we go one step further in terms of health, offering you 100% natural pata negra hams, without additives, such as the DOP Los Pedroches iberico bellota jamon and paleta iberico de bellota or the 100% Iberian acorn-fed ham from Juviles.