It's not so easy to get enough of the minerals found in beef, particularly iron and zinc. Iron is the nutrient most likely to be in short supply in the American diet. The groups at greatest risk of iron deficiency are infants and young children, adolescents, women of childbearing age and pregnant women. Also, meat contains an unidentified factor which enhances iron absorption. Some segments of the U.S. population may also have trouble getting enough zinc in their diets.
Meat is a major source of bioavailable zinc.
In the U.S., it provides 50 percent of total dietary zinc, and beef is the principal source. The zinc content of beef is higher than that of other commonly consumed animal protein foods. Whole grains also provide zinc. However, unlike meats, they contain phytate and dietary fiber, which inhibit the bioavailability of this mineral. Worldwide, zinc deficiency occurs most commonly in people who depend upon whole grain products as dietary staples and eat little red meat.