“Eating donkey meat” is an issue that has topped the Egyptian media scene, during the past few days, against the backdrop of the depreciation of the pound against the dollar and the rise in the prices of meat and poultry. The controversy moved to social networking sites, especially after statements by government officials, religious scholars and doctors in favor of eating donkey meat as a substitute for animal protein.
What increased the controversy was the spread of a statement by an official who supported the idea, as the nutritional education advisor at the government’s National Institute of Nutrition, Magdi Nazih, said that “there are no (scientific contraindications) to eating donkey and horse meat,” noting that “the matter needs to be agreed upon.” My community is before legal legislation, as the whole issue is subject to the tastes of the people,” citing the example of “communities that accept eating insects, and others that strongly disapprove of it.”
Many Egyptians fear that the government may actually legalize eating donkey meat, especially in light of the unprecedented levels of local meat prices, between 250 and 350 pounds per kilogram (one dollar equals about 31 pounds).
The Central Bank of Egypt had announced that the inflation rate had risen to more than 32 percent by the end of last February. The agency indicated in its statement that the most important cause of this inflation is due to the increase in the prices of the meat and poultry group by 29.7 percent.
Donkey meat.. Medicine proves its benefits
In general, the demand for donkey meat and milk has increased in recent years, as new information about the health benefits of these products has become more available.
Research published last April on a US government health website confirmed that donkey products are valuable foods that contain remarkable nutritional properties.
According to medical research, donkey meat and milk contain active ingredients that can also contribute to the treatment of diseases. Donkey milk is believed to have antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties.
Yet he sees medical research The available information on the overall impact of donkey products on human health and the level of their introduction into the human food chain is still scarce.
In an interview with “Al-Hurra” website, Menna Selim, a clinical nutritionist at the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, did not deny the existence of benefits for donkey milk and meat that have been proven by several scientific medical researches, but she emphasized that the problem lies in the fact that “the idea of eating donkey meat in itself makes Egyptians feel insulted.” “.
The Egyptian doctor explained that medical studies indicate that donkey meat contains some benefits and vitamins, but she believes that the published research is still insufficient, especially with regard to the damage and the difference in its impact on every person.
The American research indicated that the agricultural challenges facing the world require obtaining alternative proteins from animals that can withstand harsh environmental conditions to produce high-quality proteins.
He explained that it is known that donkeys can survive on low-quality breeding conditions and can be fed low-quality fodder to produce meat and milk, as they have been used since ancient times. However, the research finds that marketing of these products has not thrived due to declining donkey production rates and consumer preferences for beef.
The study did not ignore the social, cultural and religious customs that affect the idea of the spread of donkey products, and it indicated that the preference for some animal products is usually affected by various factors such as culture, religious beliefs or economic status.
She noted that in many countries, particularly in Africa, the consumption of donkey meat and milk has not been fully approved due to lack of knowledge and legislation related to production.
The research talked about the quality of donkey’s milk, explaining that it is an important alternative for those who are allergic to cow’s milk protein. Donkey milk also contains a higher concentration of minerals than breast milk, and is therefore a better choice for infants, both in terms of its safety and good taste. It is believed that the Maasai community in Kenya used warm donkey milk to feed children suffering from illnesses such as severe coughs, pneumonia and colds.
According to American research, donkey milk is also used in cosmetics, as it is believed to nourish the skin and maintain its freshness. The research mentions that the famous Queen Cleopatra immersed herself in donkey milk to preserve the luster of her skin.
Donkey milk is rich in vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It also contains anti-aging compounds and antioxidants that moisturize the skin and prevent skin aging. The fats in donkey milk contain essential fatty acids and saturated fatty acids, according to the research.
Moreover, research believes that donkey milk contains antibacterial properties such as lysozyme and lactoferrin, which prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria on the skin and reduce skin infections.
As for donkey meat, the research stated that it has gained some attention in recent years as a valuable food for human consumption due to the quality of its proteins.
Donkey meat, according to the study, is characterized by its low fat and cholesterol content, as well as being rich in iron.
The American study concluded that increasing awareness of the importance of donkey products will lead to increased productivity and accelerate the introduction of these products into the human food chain.
Donkey meat… its side effects are many
Returning to the clinical nutrition specialist at the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Menna Selim, the main problem lies, according to her opinion, in that donkeys are disease-carrying animals, and their meat is a fertile environment for viruses and bacteria that affect the human digestive system and may lead to vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. . She explained that some research indicates that donkey meat may cause infection with tapeworms or intestinal worms.
Another problem that Salim talked about is that some donkeys may be infected with salmonella, which causes poisoning and death if the person is not transferred to the hospital immediately.
Regarding the prevalence of eating donkey meat in a number of countries, the nutritionist said that many countries of the world eat pork despite its proven harm and the possibility of it transmitting a number of serious diseases to humans, especially epilepsy, so its spread among a number of countries does not mean that it is harmless.
Selim believes that if the Egyptian government wants to legislate eating donkey meat as a cheaper alternative to protein, it must study all the collateral damage well, and it is necessary to establish specialized committees to examine these donkeys, their health and disease-free status, and provide the necessary vaccinations.
And the nutritionist considered that the matter would be similar to the legislation of pork in Europe during the First World War as a cheap and practical solution to feed the people, but at the same time they provide the necessary health care for pigs and for the citizens who eat them, such as the vaccination imposed by European countries on children that prevents them from contracting diseases resulting from Eating pork.