Wondering whether or not your goat can safely consume brussel sprouts? Read on to learn more
Goats can eat Brussel Sprouts so long as it is consumed in moderation, as overconsumption can lead to bloating. The willingness of goats will vary, as some goat owners have observed that their goats do not like the taste of Brussel Sprouts and reject it, whereas others observe the goat consuming it readily.
What are the health benefits and risks associated with allowing your goat to consume Brussel Sproats?
Positive effects of Brussel Sprouts on Goats
High in Nutrients and Antioxidants
Brussel Sprouts is high in essential nutrients, including vitamin K, vitamin C, as well as high fiber. These all aid with important natural body processes, such as blood clotting, bone health, iron absorption, and bowel movements. Brussel Sprouts have also been shown to have many antioxidants that help prevent diseases such as cancer and other respiratory problems. One of these antioxidants, known as Kaempferol, has been seen to improve the health of the circulatory system, in addition to reducing the chances of Cancer.
Reduces the risk of Cancer
Medical studies have shown a positive correlation between consuming Brussel Sprouts, protection of the cells in the body, and even an increased level of protection against cancer causing agents known as carcinogens. This demonstrates that the extra cellular protection that results from Brussel Sprouts not only helps prevent cell decay, but can potentially lower your risk of cancer, one of the deadliest medical conditions out there. If this doesn’t provide a good incentive to feed Brussel Sprouts to your goat, I am not sure what to tell you.
Another thing to consider is all the money that you could potentially be saving on medical treatments when the goat gets older that could be largely mitigated from feeding your goat Brussel sprouts. In my eyes, this is a no brainer.
Helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels
An additional benefit from eating Brussel Sprouts is less variation in blood sugar levels. This is one of the biggest problems today that results from an unhealthy diet, unhealthy sugar levels with a great deal of variation. Although seemingly inconsequential and maybe inconvenient in the short term, this can have serious long term effects such as diabetes and even heart disease. In fact, there have even been findings that an increased intake of Brussel Sprouts has been correlated with a decreased risk of diabetes.
One of the reasons behind this positive effect is due to the presence of Fiber, which has been shown to assist in the regulation of sugar levels in the blood. This is an incredible benefit from eating Brussel Sprouts, as problems with the respiratory system are among the most common causes of death not only in animals but in humans as well.
When we take into account the fact that Brussel Sprouts can not only mitigate against cancer but heart disease, two of the most common causes of death in humans and animals, feeding this to your goat becomes a rather easy decision to make. Even if feeding your goat Brussel Sprouts is a little pricier relative to other option, it is still worth considering when you take into account the long term effects of feeding your goat this nutritious vegetable.
Contains essential fatty acids
Even outside of the prevention of cancer and the positive benefit on your circulatory system, Brussel Sprouts possess extra health benefits. An essential fatty acid for the body, known as an Omega-3 fatty acid can be found in Brussel Sprouts. This is a rare thing, as most of these fatty acids are found exclusively in seafood, but Brussel Sprouts in an exception to the rule. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are important to the body because of their various and varied functions in the human body, especially on the brain. Examples of the use of Omega-3 fatty acids include the slowing down of neurological decline in the brain from aging, reduced levels of inflammation in the body, and a reduction in triglycerides: potentially harmful fats that accumulate in the body.
Reduces inflammation in the body
Lastly, consuming Brussel Sprouts reduces the amount of inflammation in the body. Inflammation can seem like an inconvenience, when uncontrolled inside the body, it can lead to serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and even some types of cancer. Research has shown that an increased intake in Brussel Sprouts yields a lower result in inflammatory response in the circulatory system of the body. This is yet another way that eating Brussel Sprouts can reduce the risk of your goats experiencing health complications down the road.
Negative effects of Brussel Sprouts
Although Brussel Sprouts have many health benefits, overconsumption of them can have rather negative effects on the goat. You could also overdo it on the fiber if you eat too many Brussels sprouts. Symptoms of too much fiber in your diet include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, and more unfortunate digestive side effects.
Gas
Of all the potential effects that could happen to your goat from eating too much fiber, this is the most ideal. If your goat experiences gas, simply stay away from it for the next couple of hours, as things will inevitably get smelly.
Abdominal Pain
Although this is less ideal relative to simply having a gas, I would regard it as the second-best reaction, as abdominal pains exist temporarily. Although it is painful, and may even last for a couple of hours, the digestive system can usually take care of everything.
Constipation
This is the worst of all the reactions that the goat could experience due to the high intake of fiber. Depending on the extent of the food consumed, this can be a painful couple of hours or an excruciating couple of days. Constipation can often be taken care of on its own, but in severe cases it can necessitate the use of medical intervention. If the constipation appears to be of a more serious nature, there are pills and medications that can assist with the digestive process of the goat and allow everything to function properly.
Fortunately, this type of effects happens in more rare cases when a particularly high volume of fiber is consumed with little help to assist in the digestive process, resulting in a temporary blockade in the system.