Although pork gets a bad rap due to the fact that it falls into the category of red meat, pork contains valuable vitamins and minerals. Pork is especially rich in the B-vitamins, such as thiamin, niacin and vitamin B-12. As for minerals, pork supplies significant amounts of selenium and zinc. These vitamins and minerals are essential for the proper functioning of many of your body's processes.
Basic Nutrition Information
A 3-oz. pork chop provides 178 calories, 22 g of protein, 9 g of fat and no carbohydrate or fiber, according to the USDA Food and Nutrient Database.
Thiamin
A 3-oz. pork chop provides 0.5 mg of thiamin while the daily requirement for adults is 1.2 mg for men and 1.1 mg for women. Thiamin is vital in the process of deriving energy from the food you eat. Additionally, thiamin is needed in the production of DNA, the genetic material of all the cells of your body, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
Niacin
Niacin is another B-vitamin that plays a role in energy production from food. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, niacin may have a role to play in cancer prevention given its role in DNA repair. One 3-oz. pork chop provides 7 mg of niacin. The daily requirement for niacin for adults is 16 mg for men and 14 mg for women.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is unique in that it's only derived from animal products such as meat, fish, dairy products or yeast. A vitamin B-12 deficiency can result in anemia, or deficiency of red blood cells. The daily requirement for vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 mcg for both men and women. A 3-oz. pork chop provides 0.5 mcg of vitamin B-12.
Selenium
Selenium is a mineral that serves as a part of antioxidant enzymes that work to neutralize free radicals. Selenium plays an important role in sperm by helping to protect sperm from oxidative damage. One 3-oz. pork chop provides 37 mcg of selenium. The daily requirement for selenium is 55 mcg for adults, so one pork chop provides more than 65 percent of your dietary requirement for selenium.
Zinc
Like selenium, zinc is another mineral that functions as part of an antioxidant enzyme. Zinc is also important for wound healing and keeping your immune system functioning properly. The daily requirement for zinc for adults is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women. A 3-oz. pork chop provides 1.8 mg of zinc or more than 15 percent of the daily requirement for men and women.
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