One of the age-old customs that is being practiced in modern times is the eating of reptiles, specifically snakes. Some people in countries like China and many other communities in Africa eat snake meat due to the notion that it includes a high level of fat and protein. This is also the reason why some people in countries like China consume snake meat.
The nutritional value of snake meat is high, and it is an excellent source of both protein and fat. In addition to carbs, it also has calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other salts, as well as vitamins A, B1, and B2. Depending on the kind of snake, one hundred grams (about 3.5 ounces) of raw snake meat has anywhere around 93 calories. In comparison, the same quantity of sirloin beef steak contains approximately one third of the fat and half as many calories as this serving size. Dieters may find it easier to keep their weight under control if the meat they consume contains fewer calories and less fat for the same amount of weight.
The indiscriminate slaughter of snakes and the ingestion of both the snakes and their eggs has increased over the course of the years. The indiscriminate ingestion of snakes is associated with a wide range of significant health risks, some of which have the potential to be fatal. In parts of Africa and Nigeria, it is becoming an increasingly popular habit for natives to kill snakes of any type and consume them almost immediately, with little regard for the potential negative effects on their health or for proper cleanliness.
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Health Benefits of Snake Meat
There is some evidence that the especially high concentration of linoleic acid found in snake meat may have a role to play in the treatment and prevention of vascular sclerosis.
The calcium, magnesium, and other minerals that are found in abundance in snake meat. Because it is in the form of a protein fusion, the human body is able to absorb and make use of it with relative ease. Additionally, it can protect against cardiovascular disorders as well as osteoporosis. Inflammation or TB are two excellent treatment options.
Snake meat is an excellent source of a range of essential amino acids for the human body. The vitality of our brain cells can be improved with the help of ancient amino acids, which can also reduce exhaustion in the body. It is the most beneficial food for people who operate with their minds.
Dangers Associated With Eating Snake Meat
- Risk of Being Killed by Residual Venom; There is always the possibility of ingesting snake venom, particularly if the snake meat was not properly cooked or was eaten raw. Consuming meals made from snakes that have been improperly prepared might lead to major medical issues.
- The risk of acquiring an infection from a bone that is contaminated with venom or poison: There is a very vast network of snake bones, and making snake meat is an art that a lot of people have not yet mastered. Even after the snake has died, the bone of many different kinds of snakes may still remain deadly due to contamination. Because of this, it is extremely risky for a cook without sufficient experience to handle snake flesh.
- Even after death, there is still a risk of being bitten: Even after they have passed away, several kinds of snakes are still able to bite and inject venom because of the reflexive response of their neurological systems. This incredible ability is shared by a variety of snakes, including rattlesnakes and cobras. Recently, a chef was put out of business when he was found dead while cooking a dish with snake flesh. Twenty minutes after the head of the snake was severed from the body, he was bitten by the snake. It has been reported that the deceased, Mr. Peng Fan, was in the process of preparing a unique dish using the meat of an Indo-Chinese spitting cobra. This dish is considered a rare delicacy in Asia, where the consumption of snakes is a cultural norm.
- Microbiological and Metal Contamination: Consuming reptiles can present significant health risks due to the presence of a wide variety of pathogens, including parasites, germs, viruses, and heavy metals. Infections such as trichinosis, pentastomiasis, gnathostomiasis, and sparganosis have been linked to the consumption of reptiles like snakes, according to research that was recently published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology. According to Simone Magnino, who is the lead author of the study and a researcher for the World Health Organization (WHO), the presence of pathogens like Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli, Yersinia enteroliths, Campylobacter, Clostridium, and Staphylococcus aureus, which are all capable of causing severe illnesses and diseases, poses the greatest risk. These pathogens can cause severe illnesses and diseases.
It may appear to be inexpensive, but in the long run, the expense of medicare and the associated difficulties frequently leave a sour taste in the mouth. Snake meat may taste like chicken, but it is not chicken. Because even a dead snake may still be as dangerous as its living kin, the best course of action when dealing with snakes is to carefully cremate, bury, or otherwise dispose of its corpse in the appropriate manner. This is because even a dead snake may bite.
