For many years, people have been curious about peas and dog fertility. However, there is no conclusive scientific data to show that eating peas impacts fertility in dogs. However, there are a few things you should be aware of.
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Why are peas so popular in dog food?
Dried peas are a member of the pulse family, including lentils, chickpeas, and beans. Peas are one of the oldest crops on the planet. Dried yellow and green field peas appeal to health- and environmentally conscious consumers as a nutrient-dense food option farmed locally in Canada and the United States. In addition, peas are utilized in sustainable agriculture because they can replenish soil nitrogen.
The rise in grain-free diets is one of the reasons peas have become so popular in pet food. All dry pet foods, including grain-free diets, have balanced carbs, lipids, and protein composition. Carbohydrates are an energy-producing ingredient that allows you greater versatility when developing pet food recipes with varying nutrient levels.
Furthermore, the carbohydrate content of the diet influences the form, texture, and density of kibble. It is crucial to remember that grain-free does not always imply carbohydrate-free. These meals usually contain one or more non-grain carbohydrate sources. Pulses (dry peas, beans, chickpeas, and lentils), tapioca, potato, and sweet potato are examples.
Pea phytoestrogens and dog fertility
Peas include several chemicals that are not nutrients but have biological effects on humans and animals. For example, phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant chemicals that have a structural similarity to animal estrogens. Phytoestrogens have been found in human studies to have various health benefits. Obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, neurological and immunological disorders, aging, and cancer are linked to dietary phytoestrogens.
Some dog breeders are concerned that phytoestrogens found in peas cause lower fertility in breeding animals. On the other hand, Peas have a moderate phytoestrogen level that is equivalent to that of other common foods. Peas, for example, have a negligible phytoestrogen content compared to soybeans.
Benefits of peas in pet food
Even when pet food, vegetables are always an excellent choice when seeking foods with health advantages. Peas are one vegetable that can help supplement your pet’s diet with extra nutrients. Each Supreme Source pet food formulation contains peas, which provide a potent dose of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Peas are high in vitamins, including vitamins A, B1, B6, C, and K. Vitamin A maintains the health of your pet’s eyes, muscles, nerves, and skin, while vitamin C can help your pet’s immune system. Vitamin K may also help with bone health.
What are lutein and linoleic acid? Although they may appear complicated, the benefits of these nutrients found in peas are not. For example, lutein is an antioxidant that promotes your pet’s eye, skin, and heart health. Linoleic acid, a common fatty acid, is similarly vital for your pet, as it aids in the maintenance of healthy skin and fur.
Carbohydrates and fiber foods aid in maintaining a healthy weight, reducing cholesterol, and promoting a healthy digestive system in dogs and cats. Carbohydrates give energy and are an essential ingredient for your pet’s wellness.
Scientists support the use of peas in pet food
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan investigated the effects of an extruded pea or rice meal on insulin and cardiovascular responses in dogs. “A meal containing yellow field peas decreases the postprandial insulin response following glucose challenge in dogs, indicating enhanced metabolic health,” it was discovered.
These findings show that including peas in a dog’s diet can help lower blood sugar levels and the risk of diabetes, which is a critical concern in veterinary medicine.
Another study, Adolphe et al. (2012), backs up the usage of peas in pet food. The researchers were looking at oxidative stress as a result of food-induced hyperglycemia.
They discovered that dogs fed a pea-based food were less likely to have an increase in oxidative stress indicators than pups fed a corn-based diet. The study’s findings suggest that eating low-glycemic-index foods like peas may protect the cardiovascular system by lowering oxidative stress.
Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com
Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com
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