Health-Promoting Phytonutrients Are Higher in Grass-Fed Meat and Milk

Summary

This narrative review by van Vliet, Provenza, and Kronberg synthesises evidence suggesting that grass-fed ruminant products contain higher levels of health-promoting phytonutrients than their grain-fed counterparts, reflecting the transfer of plant secondary metabolites through the food chain. The authors argue that dietary diversity in pasture plants is a key driver of phytonutrient richness in animal-derived foods, with potential implications for human health. The paper situates these findings within a broader ecological and nutritional framework linking biodiversity, animal diet, and food quality.

UK applicability

The findings are broadly applicable to UK pasture-based livestock systems, where grass-fed beef and dairy production is common and increasingly promoted under environmental land management schemes; the review supports policy and consumer interest in pasture-fed standards such as the Pasture for Life certification.

Key measures

Phytonutrient concentrations (terpenoids, polyphenols, carotenoids, tocopherols, omega-3 fatty acids) in grass-fed versus grain-fed meat and milk

Outcomes reported

The paper examines differences in health-promoting phytonutrients — including terpenoids, polyphenols, and carotenoids — between grass-fed and grain-fed meat and milk, arguing that pasture-based diets result in higher concentrations of these bioactive compounds in animal products.

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