Pregnant and menstruating women should eat chicken liver; expert gives reasons

Most people wonder whether to keep or discard the liver while washing chicken before cooking. Meanwhile, some others make sure to include it in their diet, without fail. The humble chicken liver is a storehouse of nutrients, protein, vitamins and minerals. Dr S Harikrishnan of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University explains various reasons why we should include chicken liver in our diets.  

The nutrition profile
Fitness enthusiasts often eat chicken liver because it is a good source of protein. It is also low in calories. Besides, it is full of vitamins A and B complex. A person gets around 222 per cent more vitamin A, 105 per cent riboflavin, 147 per cent folate and 276 per cent vitamin B 12 than the daily requirement from just 100 grams of chicken liver. Moreover, chicken liver also contains vitamin C, choline, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, manganese and selenium. As the liver contains a lot of iron, pregnant women, menstruating women, and athletes should include it in their diets to prevent anaemia. 

The downside
Although chicken liver is nutrient-dense, it is also high in cholesterol and vitamin A. A few modern studies suggest that dietary cholesterol doesn’t directly raise blood cholesterol levels. However, it would be wise to consume chicken liver in moderation if you are concerned about cholesterol and believe your body has too much vitamin A. 

Most people complain that they do not like the taste of chicken liver, even though they know that it is packed with nutrients. Soaking the cleaned chicken liver in some water mixed with salt and lemon juice for an hour will solve this problem. Having chicken liver in moderation is far better than taking vitamin pills and other supplements.