Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Chicken Breast vs Chicken Liver: Which One Is Healthier?

Dr. Dominik Nischwitz, a dentist based in Germany, highlights on his Instagram that organ meats like liver are a nutrient-dense food, calling them "nature's multivitamin via real food," and suggests that eating organs was historically "prized &amp; classed as a real luxury". His perspective aligns with how predators in the wild often prioritize organs like the brain, heart, and bone marrow over muscle meat.

A key reason for this prioritization is the immense concentration of nutrients in organs, which are essential for running "EVERY biochemical process in the human body especially your metabolism".

He has also posted on his Instagram @drdome1, comparing <span>chicken</span> liver with chicken breast. The post noted that chicken breast has 165cals per 100grams, while liver has 167cals per 100grams. However, the chicken breast has 0% vitamin A, 0% vitamin C, 1% folate, and 6% vitamin B12. Whereas, he noted that chicken liver has 267% vitamin A, 47% vitamin C, 144% folate, and 281% vitamin B12.

<h2>Chicken Liver's Vitamin Powerhouse</h2>

Chicken liver is significantly richer in numerous vitamins compared to chicken breast, offering a high percentage of the daily value (DV) for several B vitamins and Vitamin A.

Vitamin B12: Chicken liver has a massive amount of Vitamin B12, providing 675% more of the daily needs compared to chicken breast. Per 100 grams, chicken liver contains 16.58 μg of Vitamin B12, while chicken breast only has 0.37 μg.

Vitamin A: Chicken liver is an exceptional source of Vitamin A, containing 482 times more than chicken breast. Per 100 grams, chicken liver has 11,078 IU of Vitamin A, compared to 23 IU in chicken breast. This high content is necessary for various processes in the body, including those that regulate metabolism.

Other B Vitamins and Folate: The liver is loaded with all B vitamins. Specifically, per 100 grams, chicken liver has more Vitamin B2 (1.778 mg vs. 0.125 mg), Vitamin B5 (6.233 mg vs. 1.04 mg), and Folate (588 μg vs. 4 μg). These are crucial, for example, with B2 helping make FAD for fatty acid utilization, and B3 needed to make NAD+.

While chicken liver excels in these vitamins, the one exception is Vitamin B3, which chicken breast is richer in.

In addition to vitamins, chicken liver is a standout source of key minerals.

Iron: Chicken liver contains 8.99 mg of Iron per 100 grams, which is significantly more than chicken breast's 1.14 mg. This represents a 688.6% increase in Iron content for the liver.

Copper and Selenium: The liver is an excellent source of Copper. Chicken liver has 0.492 mg of Copper, substantially more than the 0.054 mg in chicken breast. It also contains more Selenium (54.6 μg vs. 26.2 μg). The presence of copper is important for how the body handles oxygen.

<strong>Zinc and Manganese: </strong>Compared to chicken breast, chicken liver is richer in Zinc and Manganese, showing a 147.2% and 1114.3% increase, respectively, in these minerals.

<strong>Fats and Cholesterol: </strong>Although chicken liver has more beneficial nutrients, it also contains more Cholesterol (345 mg per 100g) than chicken breast (91 mg per 100g).

<h2>Protein, Calorie, and Misconception Facts</h2>

While chicken breast is generally a better source of protein (33.44 g vs. 16.92 g per 100g), chicken liver is still considered a "VERY good source of protein" and is "VERY cost effective". Calorie content is very similar, with raw chicken liver at 119 kcal per 100g and cooked chicken breast at 187 kcal per 100g.

The notion that liver stores toxins is a "bogus claim." In a healthy animal, the liver's function is to transport and remove toxins from circulation, moving them to "less important and energetic tissue such as adipocytes (fat cells)". Historically, humans consumed the whole bird or animal, including the carcass for bone broth, indicating a shift in modern eating habits toward only muscle meat like chicken breast.

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Dr. Dominik Nischwitz, a dentist based in Germany, highlights on his Instagram that organ meats like liver are a nutrient-dense food, calling them "nature's multivitamin via real food," and suggests that eating organs was historically "prized & classed as a real luxury". His perspective aligns with how predators in the wild often prioritize organs like the brain, heart, and bone marrow over muscle meat.A key reason for this prioritization is the immense concentration of nutrients in organs, which are essential for running "EVERY biochemical process in the human body especially your metabolism".He has also posted on his Instagram @drdome1, comparing chicken liver with chicken breast. The post noted that chicken breast has 165cals per 100grams, while liver has 167cals per 100grams. However, the chicken breast has 0% vitamin A, 0% vitamin C, 1% folate, and 6% vitamin B12. Whereas, he noted that chicken liver has 267% vitamin A, 47% vitamin C, 144% folate, and 281% vitamin B12.Chicken Liver's Vitamin PowerhouseChicken liver is significantly richer in numerous vitamins compared to chicken breast, offering a high percentage of the daily value (DV) for several B vitamins and Vitamin A.Vitamin B12: Chicken liver has a massive amount of Vitamin B12, providing 675% more of the daily needs compared to chicken breast. Per 100 grams, chicken liver contains 16.58 μg of Vitamin B12, while chicken breast only has 0.37 μg.Vitamin A: Chicken liver is an exceptional source of Vitamin A, containing 482 times more than chicken breast. Per 100 grams, chicken liver has 11,078 IU of Vitamin A, compared to 23 IU in chicken breast. This high content is necessary for various processes in the body, including those that regulate metabolism.Other B Vitamins and Folate: The liver is loaded with all B vitamins. Specifically, per 100 grams, chicken liver has more Vitamin B2 (1.778 mg vs. 0.125 mg), Vitamin B5 (6.233 mg vs. 1.04 mg), and Folate (588 μg vs. 4 μg). These are crucial, for example, with B2 helping make FAD for fatty acid utilization, and B3 needed to make NAD+.While chicken liver excels in these vitamins, the one exception is Vitamin B3, which chicken breast is richer in.Essential Mineral ContentIn addition to vitamins, chicken liver is a standout source of key minerals.Iron: Chicken liver contains 8.99 mg of Iron per 100 grams, which is significantly more than chicken breast's 1.14 mg. This represents a 688.6% increase in Iron content for the liver.Copper and Selenium: The liver is an excellent source of Copper. Chicken liver has 0.492 mg of Copper, substantially more than the 0.054 mg in chicken breast. It also contains more Selenium (54.6 μg vs. 26.2 μg). The presence of copper is important for how the body handles oxygen.Zinc and Manganese: Compared to chicken breast, chicken liver is richer in Zinc and Manganese, showing a 147.2% and 1114.3% increase, respectively, in these minerals.Fats and Cholesterol: Although chicken liver has more beneficial nutrients, it also contains more Cholesterol (345 mg per 100g) than chicken breast (91 mg per 100g).Protein, Calorie, and Misconception FactsWhile chicken breast is generally a better source of protein (33.44 g vs. 16.92 g per 100g), chicken liver is still considered a "VERY good source of protein" and is "VERY cost effective". Calorie content is very similar, with raw chicken liver at 119 kcal per 100g and cooked chicken breast at 187 kcal per 100g.The notion that liver stores toxins is a "bogus claim." In a healthy animal, the liver's function is to transport and remove toxins from circulation, moving them to "less important and energetic tissue such as adipocytes (fat cells)". Historically, humans consumed the whole bird or animal, including the carcass for bone broth, indicating a shift in modern eating habits toward only muscle meat like chicken breast.