Why does the Iberian pig, raised in pastureland, have three times the amount of heparin 馃惙馃拤馃└ in its intestinal mucosa compared to a white pig raised on a farm?
4 September, 2024
Pablo Ram铆rez
Director of Innovation at Horizon
We鈥檒l explain.
The so-called acorn-fed Iberian pig raised in pastureland is not, despite its nickname, exclusively fed on acorns. Acorns are the fruit of holm oaks, cork oaks or Portuguese oaks, present in the pasturelands for a limited period, typically from November to March. This means they aren鈥檛 available throughout the entire pig breeding and fattening process.
Yet, the wealth of the pastureland offers much more to the Iberian pig. Like us, pigs are omnivorous animals and, when raised freely in pastureland, they find not only acorns but also shoots of aromatic herbs, natural grasses, wild fruits, roots, insects, fungi, truffles, worms, mice, food remnants, as well as mineral nutrients from the soil, stones or other inert elements. All these elements provide the Iberian pig with a comprehensive and varied diet, which is vital for its health and crucial for the quality of its meat, as well as for the amount of heparin in its intestinal mucosa.
In contrast, the diet of the farm-raised white pig is controlled, consistent, continuous and precisely calculated through feed, no matter where it is raised.
The amount of heparin in the intestinal mucosa is directly related to the number of mast cells that reside within it, as these are the cells that store heparin. Furthermore, the number of mast cells in an intestinal mucosa is closely related to the immune and anti-inflammatory response capabilities of the intestine.
The diverse and rich diet of the Iberian pig raised in pastureland leads to greater exposure to external elements, which in turn promotes a more robust development of the immune system associated with the intestine and an enhanced ability to efficiently and actively regulate any potential inflammatory processes that may arise from the diet.
This is why the acorn-fed Iberian pig, raised freely, needs to produce more heparin in its intestinal mucosa to support its life cycle.
Thanks for reading us. Thanks for reading us. See you in the next #HorizonWorld! Be sure not to miss it, as we鈥檒l be discussing the intestinal barrier and its role in our health.