Is Grass-Fed Beef Tallow Better? Health & Skin Benefits Explained

This nutrient-rich fat was once a staple in kitchens and skincare routines but is now making a rediscovered comeback for its incredible versatility.

So, is grass-fed beef tallow better than its grain-fed counterpart?

The answers are its superior nutritional profile, environmental benefit, and greater suitability for use in health and beauty products.

So, let's take a look at why grass-fed beef tallow just might be better for your cooking, skincare, and overall wellness.

What Is Grass Fed Beef Tallow?

Beef tallow is a solidified form of beef fat that has been rendered.

This hasn't always been around, though, and its history of use in cooking, skincare, and even candle-making goes back a long way.

Specifically, grass-fed beef comes from cattle fed solely grass, not grain.

The difference in the diet greatly affects the quality and the nutritional value of the fat.

Tallow from grass-fed cattle contains more omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants than tallow from frograin-fed cattle (1).

It's not only healthier but also more sustainable for the environment.

Knowing the origin of your tallow can empower you to make better, more healthy, and, in some cases, more planet-friendly choices.

Health Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef Tallow

Rich in nutrients is one of the big advantages of grass-fed tallow.

It has a higher ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids than grain-fed tallow.

Omega 3′s are the essential fats that promote heart health, combat inflammation, and aid brain function (2).

Grass-fed tallow is also a good source of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K2.

These vitamins are important for immune health, bone strength, and cellular function.

Grass-fed cattle feed is a more natural diet for their cattle and, therefore, a nutritionally better source of tallow.

Good for supporting Heart and Brain Health. Grass-fed beef tallow is one of our best sources of healthy fats, which are vital for heart and brain health.

Omega 3s helps to keep bad cholesterol levels in check while helping good cholesterol levels, promoting cardiovascular health (3).

Furthermore, these fats are important for brain function, help you focus, and improve your memory and cognitive performance.

On the other hand, the grain-fed tallow has more omega-6 fatty acids that, when consumed inexcusably, can lead to inflammation.

By choosing a grass-fed tallow, you are having fat stemming from an animal that is in ideal harmony with your overall health.

Better for Cooking

Though grass-fed beef tallow has a high smoke point of 400°F, it's up to you how you use it: between frying, roasting, or sautéing, it will be delicious.

Tallow has the advantage over vegetable oils, which release harmful compounds when heated but are stable at high temperatures.

Rich in flavor, it lends itself to dishes and helps with healthy fats.

For people looking for alternatives to processed oils, grass-fed tallow is the better choice.

Grass-Fed Beef Tallow: Skincare Benefits

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are present in grass-fed tallow and are important for healthy skin.

They help the skin repair, hydrate, and protect them from environmental damage.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is also present in grass-fed tallow and provides anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions (4).

Applying tallow on your skin can help diminish redness, relieve irritation, and help it to heal.

Mimics Skin's Natural Oils

It's also special because tallow is very similar to the structure of human sebum, the oil your skin produces.

It absorbs easily and nourishes deeply but without clogging pores.

It is non-comedogenic and great for people with dry or sensitive skin.

Grass-fed tallow is the same as what you'd find in your grandmother's cooking oil … it's exactly what your skin needs to stay balanced and healthy.

Common Uses in Skincare

Natural skincare products such as balms, lotions, and soaps contain grass-fed tallow.

And it's also a popular DIY skincare option.

Tallow can be used as a natural moisturizer, lip balm, and even a gentle cleanser.

Melt it, mix it with your favorite essential oils,s and create your own skincare routine.

Versatile, it must be in anyone's skincare necessities collection.

Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Fed Beef Tallow: Key Differences

Taste aside, a grass-fed beef tallow is also actually much more beneficial than a grain-fed beef tallow.

Nutritionally, grass-fed tallow is superior to it due to its higher omega-3 fatty acids, CLA, and fat-soluble vitamins.

On the other hand, grain-fed tallow tends to carry more omega-6 fatty acids and can be inflammatory.

In addition, grass-fed tallow is purchased from cattle raised in more natural and sustainable conditions (5).

Cattle-fed grain diets may be confined, and when corn and soy are used as part of their diet, they may contain fat of impaired quality.

Grass-fed tallow means an ethical farming product while making for a cleaner, healthier product.

Is Grass-Fed Beef Tallow Good or Bad for You?

Having said that, grass-fed tallow brings you many benefits, but you need to consider a couple of negatives associated with it.

Because it tends to cost more to raise grass-fed cattle than grain-fed, the grass-fed tallow is often more expensive than grain-fed tallow.

Even local stores are becoming less likely to stock grass-fed tallow, but it's still available online.

There are some who may be afraid of the amount of saturated fat in tallow.

However, new research suggests that natural sources of saturated fats are not nearly as harmful as once thought.

In fact, they have an important role in hormone production and overall health.

Grass-fed tallow can be a healthy addition to your diet and lifestyle as long as it is consumed in moderation.

Finding the Best Grass Fed Beef Tallow

Not all grass-fed beef tallow is the same.

Instead, look for labels that say such as "100% grass-fed" or "pasture-raised."

Look for certification by trusted organizations (the American Grassfed Association, for instance).

Also, choose tallow from small, ethical tallow producers who put sustainability and animal welfare ahead of everything else.

When buying online, read reviews or make certain the product is pesticide (a procedure used by some manufacturers to preserve or supplement products when they no longer have an effective botanical preservative or in low pH and acidic products) free and contains no additives or preservatives.

The grass-fed tallow should be in creamy white color with a mild, clean scent.

But by focusing on these details, you can be sure to understand all the advantages of consuming grass-fed beef tallow.

Final Thoughts

Grass-fed beef tallow is a healthier, more sustainable option compared to grain-fed tallow.

Its nutrient content is about 5x better than a whole raw egg, and it is a great option for cooking, skincare, and overall wellness because of that.

You won't be supporting 'factory farming'; by choosing grass-fed, you are supporting ethical farming practices that take animal welfare and the health of the environment into consideration.

Frying your favorite foods or replenishing your skin, grass-fed beef tallow is a commodity you can trust.

Switch to revert grass-fed beef tallow and see for yourself what the advantages are.

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FAQs

Should you eat grass-fed beef tallow to cook with over regular beef tallow?

Yes, grass-fed tallow is healthier and will stay stable at high heat, so it will be good for cooking.

Can we use grass-fed beef tallow for skincare?

Absolutely! Grass-fed tallow is high in vitamins and fatty acids, which are good for the skin.

Is grass-fed beef tallow more expensive?

However, the benefits of nutrition and ethics usually outweigh the higher costs.

What makes grass-fed beef tallow better (or worse, as the case may be) than vegetable oils?

That's because it has a higher smoke point, better fat composition, and no inflammatory properties compared to most vegetable oils.

Can we eat grass-fed beef tallow for good heart health? 

Grass-fed tallow is healthy at a moderate amount, as it's rich in omega-3 and nutrient-dense.

Related Studies

1. Title: Fatty Acid Analysis of Grass-fed and Grain-fed Beef Tallow

This study found that grass-fed tallow contains significantly higher levels of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid and lower levels of omega-6 linoleic acid compared to grain-fed tallow.

Link: https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/know-your-fats/fatty-acid-analysis-of-grass-fed-and-grain-fed-beef-tallow/

2. Title: Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Brain Functions

A systematic review concluded that omega-3 supplementation enhances cognitive functions, memory, and overall brain health in various populations.

Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9641984/

3. Title: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Improve Functionality of High-Density Lipoprotein

This research demonstrated that omega-3 supplementation significantly increased HDL cholesterol levels and improved its functionality, contributing to cardiovascular health.

Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.767535/full

4. Title: Topical application with conjugated linoleic acid ameliorates 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions

The study showed that topical CLA application significantly reduced inflammation and improved skin barrier function in a model of atopic dermatitis.

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33206422/

5. Title: Environmental Sustainability of Grass-Fed vs Grain-Fed Cattle Farming Practices

This analysis indicated that while grass-fed systems may have higher greenhouse gas emissions, they also contribute to carbon sequestration, affecting overall sustainability assessments.

Link: https://kb.wisc.edu/dairynutrient/375fsc/page.php?id=111065