Studies have variously found a slight reduction in tenderness, an increase in shear force, and a lower percentage of intramuscular fat (marbling).

Marbled meat is meat, especially red meat, that contains various amounts of intramuscular fat, giving it an appearance similar to a marble pattern.

U.S. Prime - Highest in quality and intramuscular fat, limited supply.

Higher values indicate the presence of genes that will produce more intramuscular fat.

It is the marbling - the intramuscular fat - that affects flavor and tenderness.

Ultrasound techniques can also be used to directly measure muscle thickness and quantify intramuscular fat.

Ultrasound has the advantage of being able to also directly measure muscle thickness and quantify intramuscular fat.

Ultrasound is used to evaluate fat thickness, rib eye area, and intramuscular fat in living animals.

A good ibérico ham has regular flecks of intramuscular fat (marbling).

In humans, excess accumulation of intramuscular fat has been associated with conditions such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.