RFK Jr. and influencers rave about the health benefits of beef tallow: What is it actually

Beef tallow is making a comeback, thanks (or maybe, no thank you) to Robert F Kennedy Jr. and influencers. This creamy rendered form of fat is the rage these days in the United States. While the world is talking about the benefits of lean fat and ghee, a section of people are endorsing beef fallow as a nutrient-packed, natural alternative to cooking oils, and claim that it boosts everything from heart health to skin vitality. But is it true?
What is beef tallow?

Beef tallow is a rendered animal fat, made by simmering fats surrounding cows over low heat until the fat separates from the meat tissue. This process separates fat from liquid and the connective tissue. This fat is then allowed to solidify. Beef tallow solidifies at room temperature and is shelf stable. When you heat it to cook, it melts down again and looks similar to vegetable oil. Beef tallow is often used for cooking, as it adds a distinct flavour, especially when used to fry, roast, or sauté. It is also used to make soap, candles, and even skincare products.

RFK Jr.’s views on beef tallow
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has endorsed beef tallow several times. In Oct. 2024, the HHS secretary stated, “It’s time to Make Frying Oil Tallow Again.” In a post shared on X, he said that fast food chains used beef tallows, however, later shifted to seed oils in 1990 over health concerns. “This switch was made because saturated animal fats were thought to be unhealthy, but we have since discovered that seed oils are one of the driving causes of the obesity epidemic. Interestingly enough, this began to drastically rise around the same time fast food restaurants switched from beef tallow to seed oils in their fryers,” RFK Jr. said. He stated that with this shift Americans are ‘unknowingly poisoned by heavily subsidized seed oils’.
During a Fox News interview last week, the HHS Secretary ate fries and a burger at a Steak ’n Shake and praised the restaurant chain for cooking with fat rather than with vegetable oil.

Is beef tallow healthy?

Similar to many animal products, beef tallow is nutrient-rich, which makes it best to be used in moderation. It’s rich in fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, and E which play roles in immune function, bone health, and skin repair. However, health experts often do not recommend swapping seed oil for tallow. This is because beef tallow has roughly a high amount of saturated fat. Consuming small amounts of saturated fat is not harmful, however, it can raise cholesterol levels, which can further increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Beef tallow is calorie-dense, with a single cup containing 1,849 calories, as per the US Department of Agriculture.
Can you apply beef tallow on the skin?

TikTok is flooded with videos of people rubbing tallow on their skin. Many endorse it as a natural moisturizer and acne treatment. “Within two weeks, my acne was gone. My skin was just looking so much younger, bouncier, and more glowy,” a TikTok user said in a video posted in May, which has got over 1 million views.

But does animal fat really have skincare benefits? A 2024 review of about 150 published papers on beef tallow as a cosmetic product revealed no such benefits. It found that some people even experienced irritation from beef tallow, while others had no negative effects.
Meanwhile, many communities, particularly, those who practice Hinduism, abstain from eating cows, as the animal is considered sacred in their religion. The cow is associated with divinity, motherhood, and non-violence (ahimsa), hence eating beef is considered a sin. According to the Hindu scriptures, the cow is considered a divine form of Goddess that fulfills wishes. They are seen as Kamadhenu, a sacred and benevolent being that symbolizes prosperity, abundance, and the gifts of nature. The cow is also associated with Hindu deities such as Lord Krishna, who is a protector of cows, which is why killing the animal is forbidden.
(Pic courtesy: X/ @thecarnivorebar, @regenranching, @SeanDoggo)