What is a primary health benefit of consuming lean beef?

Consuming lean beef offers the primary health benefit of providing essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein necessary for various bodily functions. Amino acids play key roles in muscle growth and repair, hormone production, and enzymatic reactions. Lean beef is a high-quality protein source that contains all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own, making it an excellent choice for maintaining and building muscle mass, particularly for individuals engaged in physical activity or those looking to support their overall health.

The other options, while related to health in some aspects, do not capture the primary health benefit as effectively as the provision of essential amino acids. For example, while lean beef is lower in calories compared to more fatty cuts, it is not universally low in calories across all serving sizes. Similarly, it does contain cholesterol, although it is lower than fatty meats. Lastly, the glycemic index is more pertinent to carbohydrate sources than to protein foods like beef, making the provision of amino acids the standout benefit in this context.