St. Patrick wasn’t actually Irish, and neither is corned beef, the most popular dish associated with his namesake holiday.
Such technicalities needn’t spoil your celebratory meal, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientists say. However, OMRF researchers do have some tips about which traditional St. Patty’s Day foods and drinks merit seconds – and which might better be avoided.
The holiday’s namesake was born in England. Tradition has it that St. Patrick was kidnapped at age 16, around 400 A.D., and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland. He eventually escaped and fled back home to England to become a priest, though he ultimately returned to Ireland to convert pagans to Christianity.
By some estimates, about 40% of Americans who celebrate St. Patrick’s Day do so with corned beef. But this tradition, much like the saint himself, wasn’t born in Ireland.
In Ireland, bacon and ham were the more common meat of choice. When Irish immigrants arrived in America during the 1800s, they discovered corned beef to be cheaper, and a new tradition was born.
Unfortunately, neither meat choice is particularly healthy, said OMRF physician-scientist Hal Scofield, M.D.
“Like its pork counterparts, corned beef is a processed red meat, high in sodium and saturated fat,” said Scofield, who also serves as associate chief of staff for research at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. “That said, corned beef is high in protein, which the body needs to build muscle, create enzymes and repair tissue.”
But potatoes, another St. Patrick’s Day staple, can be healthy if cooked correctly, he said. Frying adds fat and calories, and boiling causes the most nutrient loss. “For maximum nutritional level, try baking or microwaving your potatoes with the skin on,” Scofield said.
Scofield’s OMRF colleague, Scott Plafker, Ph.D., suggests loading up on another traditional Irish food: cabbage. The leafy, cruciferous veggie is among the healthiest foods you can eat, he said.
“Cabbage is high in vitamin C and also vitamin K, which is crucial for blood clotting and bone health,” said Plafker. “It can also lower your risk for certain diseases because of its high levels of fiber and antioxidants,” said Plafker.
In 2023, Plafker found that cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables preserved the vision of mice with retinal degeneration. Other studies have linked cruciferous vegetables with lower blood pressure and decreased risks of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.
Finally, there’s that other St. Patty’s Day staple – beer. On that front, said Scofield, recent research has brought bad news for those who enjoy the liquid component of the holiday.
“Studies now show that even light drinking can increase your risk for cancer. It also appears that light or moderate drinking doesn’t hold any benefits for your heart or any other aspect of your health,” he said.
Still, if you choose to indulge, Scofield recommends moderation. “When it comes to health and alcohol, less is always better,” he said. “Plus, it’s always nice to wake up the morning after St. Patrick’s Day and not feel green.”
