10 Unbelievable Health Benefits of Kadaknath Chicken

If you’ve reached this article, then most probably you have had recently discovered about this unique breed of chicken in India which is commonly called as “Kadaknath Chicken” or “Kali Masi”.

Also known as black meat chicken, this breed is creating a new trend of “desi chicken” love for all our non-vegetarians and health enthusiasts. The clear reasons are its unbelievable and surprising health benefits and nutrition facts that makes this chicken and its eggs super heathy and helpful for maintaining the right health. However, there are originally three different breeds of this chicken all around the globe, that are a) Kadaknath Chicken: Native- Madhya Pradesh, India, b) Silkie: Native- China, c) Ayyam Cemani: Native- Indonesia. BMC (Black Meat Chicken) or Kadaknath is the breed of India. It is a native bird of Madhya Pradesh, raised mainly by the tribal communities of Jhabua, Bhilala and Bhil.

This chicken is available in three different colors that are jet-black, penciled, and golden. The bird is loved and popular among the adiwasis or tribals of the community primarily because of its adaptability to the local Indian environment even in extreme weather conditions without antibiotics, delicious meat quality, disease resistance, and texture and flavour of the meat. Though, the flesh of this chicken breed is black, it is considered not only a specialty cuisine of the tribals for its distinctive taste, but also for its medicinal value.

The surprising health benefits of Kadaknath chicken has gained it popularity making it a new food choice for all health-conscious people.

Breeding of Kadaknath Chicken

Day-old BMC chicks are bluish to black in color with irregular dark stripes on the back and the adult Kadaknath chickens look silver golden to bluish-black in color without any stripes. They can be bred well in temperature from 10 to 45 degrees, and their adaptability to temperature makes them a suitable choice for breeding purposes. They grow fast due to their feed conversion ratio (FCR) and are fed mostly veggies like spinach, grains, cabbage, as well as kitchen wastes which is the reason why they have good weight gain. They are highly resistant to the diseases and seasonal infections as compared to other poultry animals, which helps in minimizing the gross expenditure increasing the profit margins. BMC comb, wattles, and tongue are purple in color.

Why Kadaknath Chicken is expensive than other chicken breeds?

Kadaknath chicken is the only avian species in India which has got the Geographical Indication tag which is why the meat’s demand is high, mostly the price increases in the winter season. The production of this meat is less as compared to high demand and thus, the rates of this chicken touch the sky. Generally, it can cost you around 900 to 1200 rupees per kg and a single egg of this Black meat hen costs 50 rupees, but still, the demand of this chicken meat and eggs stays unaffected, we guess because of its rich taste and nutritional value.

Let’s have a brief look on the unbelievable that we bet you do not know yet:

1. Impressive nutritional values

Kadaknath chicken has impressive protein content which 25%, high levels of 8 essential amino acids, and essential hormones. It is also a rich source of vitamins such as B1,B2,B6, B12, C and E, and minerals including iron, calcium, phosphorus, niacin, nicotinic acids, etc. Kadaknath chicken is a great source of blue pigment, hormones, antioxidants, and amino acids that also increase blood count and hemoglobin, to prevent serious health conditions.

2. High protein eggs

BMC eggs and meat contain a higher amount of protein which is 25.47% compared to white chicken eggs and meat. Protein present typically in white chicken meat is only 18 to 20% and protein is very essential for the overall growth and development of human body. It helps to boost body’s energy to perform different activities in a day. The high content of protein in Kadaknath chicken makes it a good source of protein specifically for athletes, body builders, health conscious people, pregnant women and the people who want to gain ideal weight.

3. Lowers bad cholesterol

People nowadays have got quite concerned about their cholesterol intake and levels in their body because of increased blood pressure and heart problems. Regular chicken meat has 13 to 25% cholesterol typically, however, kadaknath chicken has only 0.73 to 1.05% so it can be a super food for blood pressure and heart patients. It naturally lowers your bad cholesterol as well by keeping your active and healthy which is one of the best health benefits of Kadaknath chicken.

4. Boosts red blood cells and hemoglobin

Kadaknath chicken is enriched with iron, calcium, and phosphorus abundantly which fulfills all the basic requirements of your body offering about ten times more iron than an ordinary chicken. Iron as we all know provides hemoglobin, prevents fatigue, and also prevents a disease called anemia. And women who have low hemoglobin count can also be benefitted from consuming black meat chicken.

Recommended: 12 Facts You Need To Know About Broiler Chickens

5. Improves women health

According to recent studies, possibility of mineral and vitamin deficiency risk in women is 41%, especially between the age of 19-50 years and 47% of risk is for pregnant or breastfeeding moms. As Kadaknath chicken is a natural source of essential minerals and vitamins to meet the body’s daily needs, especially high protein content, vitamin B, E, iron, zinc, phosphorus, consuming it thrice a week in regular diet can treat bodily deficiencies in women. Several other clinical research has also indicated that black chicken meat is an effective treatment for women’s health issues such as sterility, irregular periods, anemia, menoxenia, continuous abortion, leucorrhoea, metrorrhagia, and weakness post delivery.

6. Has medicinal properties

Kadaknath meat is unique and popular for its black color and numerous medicinal properties with potential to treat and cure various ailments. Over past decades, the popularity of Kadakanth is spiking significantly because of its delicious taste associated silently with medicinal values. The meat which is black in color due to the presence of large amount of melanin is a genetic condition called fibromelanosis. Kadakanath chicken blood in often used in treating chronic diseases in human beings and the meat is considered as an aphrodisiac as well, another health benefit of Kadaknath chicken. Kadaknath chicken also has special medicinal value in homeopathy and treats particularly nervous disorder.

7. Improves nervous system

Adding Kadaknath chicken to regular diet can also boost body’s central nervous system. The antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids abundantly present in this chicken breed help treating the condition of nervous debility which is associated with symptoms dependent upon impairment in the functions of the spinal cord, and children osteomalacia which is a condition marked by softening of the bones.

8. Improves eyesight

Kadaknath chicken is naturally enriched with a special antioxidant called carnosine which is beneficial for eyesight. BMC is also loaded with other essential antioxidants that actively prevent macular degeneration to promote healthy vision and eyesight. Adding black chicken meat to your regular diet along with vegetables and fruits can greatly improves eyesight.

9. Lowers risk of heart diseases

BMC is a rich source of iron, thus, is considered as a healthy addition to the diet of normal people especially the heart patients. It increases the blood flow to the heart by preventing blood clots which is why it significantly reduces the risk of heart attack and heart strokes. Studies have also shown that black chicken meat are low in cholesterol which is (0.73-1.05%) compared to regular white chicken which is (13-25%). Research conducted by the Central Food and Research Institute of Mysore discovered that this chicken breed is healthy for cardiac patients as it maximizes blood flow to the heart. Plus, black chicken meat is rich in a lot of antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties that ultimately help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

10. Boosts energy

Kadaknath chicken is famous for its high protein content and protein is highly beneficial to boost the body’s energy level which is another health benefit of Kadaknath chicken. In addition, the presence of different types of minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids helps boost energy as well.  Fitness experts even recommend consuming this kind of meat as one can have the energy booster to do daily activities.

11. Aids headaches

BMC or Kali Masi can help in treating headaches and cold symptoms. The chicken soup of this breed works same as any black or regular tea that is popular for cold remedy. Not only regular headache, kadaknath chicken also treats post-partum headaches and dizziness.