Texans have a new reason to light up those backyard barbecues. New research shows that brisket has several health benefits.

Ground beef produced from the brisket contains high levels of oleic acid, which increases levels of HDL or good cholesterol in humans, Dr. Stephen Smith, Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist, told ranchers at the recent Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course.

“When cattle are fed high-concentrated diets for a long period, the meat becomes high in oleic acid and other monounsaturated fats,” Smith said.

Brisket is becoming the preferred choice of trim to make ground beef. Other trims of meat, such as flank or plate, used to make ground beef do not contain as much oleic acid as brisket, according to Smith.

“Ground beef is not going to kill you,” Smith said. “When you take the beef out of fat, it reduces LDL, but also reduces HDL,” Smith said. “Our studies have shown that fat is a very important component of beef.”

Smith’s research includes evaluating ground beef consumption and plasma risk factors for cardiovascular disease and Type II diabetes in men and women.