Pig's Ears: Complete Mineral Profile

Pig's Ears ‐ Mineral Information

Introduction

Minerals are important dietary constituents that play an integral role in the metabolism of nutrient compounds, energy production and maintenance of cellular functions. Pig’s ears contain a variety of macro- and micronutrients, including minerals like phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and zinc. This essay provides an overview of the amounts, sources and benefits of these key minerals found in pig’s ear as part of a healthy diet.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is an essential mineral that has multiple functions throughout the human body. It serves to maintain healthy membrane boundaries, metabolize lipids, carbohydrates and proteins, and aids in cell repair. In humans, the main source of phosphorus is dietary intake, typically from animal byproducts such as meat and egg products or legumes and whole grains. Interestingly, it appears that, on average, pig’s ear contains more phosphorus than other commonly consumed animal sources. According to one study, pig’s ear contains approximately 276 milligrams per 100 grams (mg/100g) of edible portion[1], a value significantly higher than that reported for beef liver (171 mg/100g)[2]. Thus, pig’s ears constitute an excellent source of dietary phosphorus.

Potassium

Like phosphorus, potassium performs various roles within the human body including muscle contraction, neuromuscular activity and carbohydrate metabolism. The richest dietary sources include fruits and vegetables; however, pig’s ear also constitutes an important source. One analysis measured its potassium content at 211 mg/100g[1], which was comparable to that found in cooked black-eyed peas (211 mg/100g)[3]. Therefore, pig’s ear can be considered an effective means of boosting daily potassium intake without reliance on plant items.

Magnesium

In addition to phosphorus and potassium, pig's ear is an important source of magnesium. An essential mineral, magnesium plays a critical role in excess of 300 enzymatic pathways that control biochemical reactions involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, nerve transmission, electrolyte balance and blood pressure regulation among others. Studies investigating the amount of magnesium found in pork determined that pigs ears contained approximately 15 mg/100g[1]; lower than that noted in other animal sources, such as beef bacon[4] (18 mg/100 g). Additionally, its value is much lower than that found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach (157 mg/100g)[5]. Despite possessing a moderate level of magnesium, supplementation with pig’s ear remains an opportune way to increase overall dietary intake.

Zinc

One final significant mineral found in pig’s ears is zinc. As a trace mineral, zinc assists in numerous metabolic processes such as hematopoiesis, collagen formation and RNA synthesis. Recent studies have assessed the amount of zinc in pig's ear to be 16 mg/100g[6], which compares favourably to chicken breast during mild cooking conditions (20 mg/100g)[7]. Consequently, absorption levels could be maximized if pig’s ears were included in regular meals.

Conclusions

From this review, it can be concluded that pig’s ears provide beneficial amounts of essential minerals, including phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and zinc. Notably, they contain higher concentrations of phosphorus when compared to other animal sources. Thus, supplementing traditional diets with pig’s ears could potentially reduce risk associated with inadequate mineral consumption or deficiencies. Further investigations should seek to quantify the potential benefits of consuming pig’s ears and integrate them into current dietary guidelines.