Rabbit meat consumption has been recommended for persons age 40 and above to prevent a high rate of uric acid.

Huzaifa Abdullahi, a veterinary doctor with the Bauchi State Area Veterinary Clinic, gave the recommendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Sunday in Bauchi.

He said that in spite that rabbit meat had higher nutritional value, the meat contained unsaturated fat.

“Most people are not aware of the nutritional contents of rabbits,” Mr Abdullahi said. “The rodent has little waste to pass out while it also prevents humans from contracting uric acid.”

Uric acid causes gout and it is a life-threatening disease in humans. Specialists have explained that gout was a painful form of arthritis mostly caused by crystals that form in and around the human joints.

Unlike cows and ruminants, rabbit is from the class of animals with white muscles, according to previous research on the matter.

“Some zoonotic diseases can also be avoided if we follow the expert’s recommendations,” Mr Abdullahi said. “Those between the age of 40 and above are mostly diagnosed with uric acid and red meat contributes to these ailments in humans.”

(NAN)