Physiological and nutritional characteristics of Korean native black goats and their implications for age-specific consumption strategie

Korean native black goats (KNBG; Capra hircus coreanae) produce lean meat with low fat deposition and a favorable fatty-acid balance. This review synthesizes KNBG metabolic traits, nutrient composition, and bioactive components associated with functional meat quality, and proposes a hypothesis-generating, cut-based framework for age-stratified dietary considerations rather than clinical dietary guidance. To enhance transparency, we describe how the literature was searched, selected, and synthesized, and we use a structured narrative approach because the KNBG evidence base is relatively limited and heterogeneous. Compared with cattle, pigs, and crossbred goats, KNBG meat tends to show lower saturated fatty acids, higher unsaturated fatty acids, higher essential amino acids/branched-chain amino acids, and greater levels of bioactive compounds (creatine, carnosine, and anserine) relevant to antioxidant defense and metabolic processes, although these nutritional characteristics may vary depending on the specific cut. On a compositional plausibility basis, we outline age-stratified considerations: (i) hind-leg cuts to support protein needs during growth in children and adolescents; (ii) loin cuts that may fit dietary patterns favoring a lower SFA/higher UFA balance in adults; and (iii) tender, easily chewable cuts rich in essential amino acids to help meet protein needs in older adults. Priorities include clarifying physiological and genetic determinants, quantifying bioactive compounds and bioavailability, and conducting controlled human intervention studies to link composition to health outcomes. Overall, KNBG can be a promising functional protein source, but guideline-like recommendations require rigorous human evidence.