Beef Tallow is Back: Rediscovering The Forgotten Fat
Beef Tallow is Back: Rediscovering The Forgotten Fat
Discover the health benefits of beef tallow, from skin care to liver protection, and culinary uses.
Up until 100 years ago, before unsaturated vegetable oils existed, hard animal fats were primary staples in traditional cooking. In a world that has since become skeptical of saturated fat, the creamy, unctuous goo known as beef tallow is undeniably making a massive comeback. It's true: rendered beef fat is now hitting frying pans and being rubbed into elbows everywhere. While many remain suspicious, modern research suggests that beef tallow may not only be safe but also beneficial for internal and external use.
Nutritional Composition and Human Skin
Beef tallow is rich in complex triglycerides formed of oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic fatty acids, alongside vital fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K, and choline. The most important factor in beef tallow's application (and renaissance) in the skincare world is that its lipid profile closely resembles that of human skin. This fantastic coincidence may explain tallow's exceptional biocompatibility, helping it absorb extremely effectively, moisturizing and nourishing the body's largest organ.
Studies confirm that tallow boosts skin hydration and offers antimicrobial properties. Fascinatingly, because tallow is so readily transported into the skin, its benefits may be even more pronounced when combined with other oils, such as hemp or walnut, which essentially go along for the ride. While more human research is needed, tallow-based emulsions show great promise for treating various skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and wounds.
Saturated Fats are Not All Created Equal
A common concern with beef tallow is that its high saturated fat content would raise LDL- the 'bad' cholesterol- thereby increasing the risk of heart diseases. But back in 1991, a well-controlled inpatient study showed that stearic acid - the predominant saturated fatty acid in beef tallow- has a minimal effect on raising LDL. In fact, participants consuming beef tallow had lower LDL levels than those consuming butter and only slightly higher levels than those consuming olive oil.
The bottom line is that, clearly, the type of saturated fat matters. Palmitic and myristic acids (other types of saturated fat) tend to raise cholesterol significantly more than stearic acid, suggesting that dietary guidelines should differentiate between these fats rather than vilify saturated fats as a whole.
Liver Protection and Antioxidant Support
Beyond safety for cholesterol levels, beef tallow may have interesting benefits for the liver as well. A 2009 study found that rats fed diets high in corn oil - especially when combined with low protein intake - showed significantly increased susceptibility to liver damage from acetaminophen. In contrast, rats fed a diet based on beef tallow showed much less liver damage.
Why the difference? Beef tallow appeared to stimulate higher levels of glutathione, the liver's master home-made antioxidant. It also altered liver fat composition by increasing oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat) and reducing linoleic acid (a polyunsaturate). This combination seems to protect the liver from oxidative damage. These study results were confirmed again in 2011.
Carbohydrates, Not Saturated Fat, Drive Plasma Saturation
A persistent myth is that the more saturated fat we eat, the more will circulate in our blood. This makes sense intuitively, but body metabolism is more complex and, in short, it just doesn't work that way. A 21-week study of adults with metabolic syndrome found that increasing carbohydrate intake- not saturated fat- was the main driver of higher circulating saturated fats like the troublesome palmitoleic acid linked to insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk.
During the study's low-carb, high-fat phases, subjects had lower levels of harmful circulating saturated fats. Metabolic markers such as triglycerides, blood pressure, and insulin resistance also improved significantly—only to worsen as carbohydrate intake increased. The takeaway is that bringing a bouquet of high-fat foods into the equation while reducing sugar can improve metabolic balance.
Culinary Benefits and The Grass-Fed Advantage
In fact, tallow is only around 50 per cent saturated fat - the rest is comprised of monounsaturated fats, like those found in olive and avocado oils, and poly-unsaturated fats, like those found in nuts, seeds, and seafood. In the poly-unsaturated category, grass-fed tallow is especially prized for its higher content of omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). It also seems to be generally higher in antioxidants. These nutrients are all linked to reduced inflammation and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
In cooking, tallow's fantastically high smoke point (420-480°F / 215-249°C) makes it truly ideal for frying and roasting, especially compared to seed oils like canola or corn oil that oxidize at lower temperatures and may form harmful oxidation byproducts. These days, many have forgotten that even McDonald's fried their french fries in tallow right up until 1990! In an informal blind taste test comparing fries made with tallow vs. those made with vegetable oil, all participants unanimously agreed that the tallow-cooked fries were unquestionably more delicious.
It's Tallow's Time to Shine
Beef tallow is a forgotten and misunderstood fat. But we are starting to remember, and we are starting to understand: far from being a dietary villain, this natural, stable kitchen classic offers a compelling blend of health benefits- from promoting skin health to protecting the liver and supporting metabolic function. More research is needed, but it seems to be the case that beef tallow, especially when sourced from happy grass-fed cattle and consumed within a balanced, nutrient-dense diet, can be a powerful ally for health.
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Lead image by Daniel Quiceno.
