STOP BLAMING GOAT MEAT FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Aug 27 (Antara) - To reduce import of beef, the Indonesian government will focus on developing sheep and goat farming in the country to provide alternative animal protein for consumers at home.         However, even though it is more of a myth than reality, the fact is that many people still consider goat meat as something that leads to high blood pressure and increased cholesterol in the body.       Many doctors have clarified that consuming lamb or goat meat is not the main cause of hypertension as understood by certain quarters. Goat meat has high saturated fat content yet the unsaturated fat is even higher.         It should also be noted that the saturated fat in goat meat is less than that found in beef or lamb. So, one should not avoid consuming goat satay if one consumes beef. As long as it is consumed in reasonable amounts, it would not cause high blood pressure or increase cholesterol level. It is just the same as consuming beef, according to a doctor.         A goat breeder, during the 2016 Livestock Service Month attended by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday, asked the government to clear the misconception and stop blaming goat meat as a cause of hypertension.