Protein Harvesting?

You might be wondering what ‘protein harvesting’ means. I know that I was. It’s the sanitized word now being used to describe the slaughter of animals for our dining pleasure. It’s yet another way to market meat to us that makes it feel less gruesome and healthier for us.

Most people who eat animals focus on what the animal eats before slaughter as the way to measure the quality of the meat. Here is the kicker. There’s new research into the fact that “the manner and timing” of the animal’s slaughter may play a significant role in what ends up on your plate.

Apparently, stress at the time of ‘harvesting’ alters the chemistry of the meat, changing its taste texture and even nutritional quality.

Gee, do you think?

Researchers studied different animals throughout three seasons of hunting. They tracked the pH levels in muscle immediately after the animal was killed because it reveals just how stressed the animal was before its death.

You see, these geniuses were wondering about when an animal experiences stress before unnatural death. It seems that their muscles utilize energy differently, resulting in abnormal pH levels that make the meat tougher, less flavorful and more prone to spoilage (just like any corpse, I guess).

The data showed however, that pH values declined at a predictable rate when animals are harvested under calm conditions. (Do they get them drunk so they don’t see their imminent death coming?)

But…and here’s a surprise: stress before being shot disrupted this decline in pH values. I can’t even believe this research is a thing, truly. Someone needs to explain this to me like I am a five-year-old.

Research suggests that this drop in ‘quality’ is the result of depleted glycogen in the animal’s muscles which normally helps regulate acidity after death. Without enough glycogen, the meat can taste metallic, lose tenderness and spoil faster.

The upshot of this nonsensical research is that stressed out animals; animals in fear of their lives; animals literally running for their lives results in lower quality of meat for the consumer.

Ah, so now we get to the point. This is not about animals and their welfare as they are to be slaughtered. This is about selling us more and more meat at higher prices because the animal lived a tranquil life before it was murdered.

Called ‘stress-free harvesting,’ these premium quality providers of dead animal food promise a higher quality protein, better flavor and…can they add better karma to the list (she asked sarcastically?) The animals are harvested ‘tranquilly’ at night, using methods that align with the animal’s natural behavior (like maybe, sleeping?). This ensures the highest quality tender, nutrient-rich, flavorful meat with 22% more protein, 4 times the antioxidants and 8 times the healthiest of fats (depending on the animal species). Oh, oh and it also means less bacterial risk for the consumer.

This results in a healthier, more enjoyable meat, they say. I guess unless you are the animal; then maybe not so enjoyable.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, when we eat animals filled with fear, adrenaline coursing through their bodies, we eat that fear. Airy-fairy? Have you noticed how scared we are of…everything? We double lock doors; alarm our homes; own guns for protection; demonize anyone not like us out of fear.

Would we be less afraid? Would we actually be big and strong in life? Would we be nobler? Who knows? I just know that eating meat fosters aggression and fear (which I am sure you’ll be able to read in the comments as I get my butt handed to me for addressing this elephant in the room).

When, I wonder, will we learn? We are a smart, creative, inventive species that cannot seem to wrap its collective head around the idea that an animal does not need to lose its life for us to live well; eat well; get enough protein (jeez, with this one already…); manage our weight or keep our hearts healthy.

We do not need to add to the burden we place on the planet by continuing to slaughter animals on farms, in slaughterhouses or in the wild.

We do not need to eat animals at all. We want to eat them. You can give me all the excuses you desire: it’s cultural; it’s a habit; it’s marketing; it gives you strength and makes you lean. You like eating it, period. The simple truth is that eating meat means one thing: you do not value the life of another creature.

I wish there was some sugar-coating to do here, but there just isn’t.

Look, I know that this blog is going all vegan on you, but this research leaves me no choice. In a flagrant attempt to keep us from dealing with the fact that a sentient creature had to lose its life for our dinner, they tell us that it can be tranquil for the animal; a peaceful death for your meal.

Please…time to wake up and stop being gaslit by corporations and food companies determined to keep us addicted to what they sell…and what is stealing our collective health.

Ghandi famously said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Some food for thought.

(NOTE: For more on this important subject, get yourself a copy of the book ‘Little Red Barns’ by Will Potter, and plan on joining me for a very special livestream with my guest, the author, Will Potter for a more in-depth discussion on my January 25th YouTube Live.)