Find out why scientists decided it was dangerous to eat fish for immunity and how to choose the right fish for maximum benefits. We all know from childhood about the benefits of fish oil. However, the results of recent studies make us wary. The point is not that this food product turned out to be harmful. According to the results of research carried out by a group of scientists from the Scripps Oceanographic Research Institute, eating fish has proven to be dangerous for immunity due to pollution of the waters of the world's oceans. Let's deal with this issue.
Is it dangerous to eat fish for immunity?
The current ecological situation is of serious concern to all scientists. It is no secret that air and water are seriously polluted. It is quite obvious that various toxic substances enter plants and animals, and then into the human body. This statement has received further confirmation during the study of yellowfin tuna. Scientists have found traces of toxins from the pesticide group, as well as by-products of oil refining, in the muscle tissues of the fish.
During further research, scientists from the United States were able to prove that eating fish can lead to serious consequences, in particular, on the immune system. First of all, we are talking about the fish that were caught in a polluted reservoir. However, it can be assumed that harmful substances are found in all foods. So, today it is known that eating fish turned out to be dangerous for the immune system. From this we can conclude that the relevant state bodies need to tighten the rules for the passage of sanitary standards by all food products.
How can fish be useful for humans?
Scientists assure us that eating fish turned out to be dangerous for the immune system. On the other hand, any food product can contain hazardous substances. Let's talk about the benefits of fish. The scientists who conducted the research we talked about above. They emphasized that not all fish species can be dangerous. Some of them have the ability to accumulate large amounts of harmful substances in a short time.
If we talk about the benefits of fish for humans, then it is a quickly digestible product. By consuming it, you will not feel the heaviness in the stomach. Fish is an excellent food primarily for children and the elderly. If you do not have problems with the digestive system, then you probably have no idea that there may be any difficulties with food processing.
However, this is quite possible and many have to deal with it. If the body needs about six hours to process meat, then the fish is digested in only two or three. At the same time, these products are very similar in terms of their nutritional values. Moreover, some fish species are found to be more beneficial.
This is due to the presence in them of a large number of protein compounds, including a complete set of essential amines. Of course, the benefits of fish for humans are not limited to this fact. We all remember about fish oil, because in childhood many were forced to take it. It contains a large amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which have a lot of positive properties.
Probably not everyone knows that scientists took notice and began actively researching omega-3s in the middle of the last century. The impetus for these actions was the low percentage of diseases of the cardiovascular system among the Eskimos. This nation has been consuming seafood throughout its history. It is quite obvious that scientists decided to find out what is the reason for the longevity and excellent health of the Eskimos. That's when omega-3 fats were discovered.
Let's remind the main positive properties of omega-3 fats:
- Suppress the processes of thrombus formation.
- They have a positive effect on blood vessels.
- Normalize blood pressure.
- Possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
- Improves brain function.
- They have a positive effect on the organs of vision.
These are just some of the effects that these fatty acids are capable of producing. Let's not forget about the presence of a large amount of micronutrients in the fish. Many people underestimate the health effects of these substances. Meanwhile, vitamins with minerals are actively involved in all biochemical reactions.
The fish contains vitamins A, G, D, as well as group B. Moreover, the fats contained in the product improve the absorption of these nutrients. All fish breeds can be roughly divided into three types:
- Low fat - the fat content is less than 4 percent, which also affects the energy value. 100 grams of lean fish contains only 80-100 calories.
- Medium fat - contains from 4 to 8 percent fat, and the energy value of 100 grams of the product is 120-140 calories.
- Bold - the fat content exceeds 8 percent. 100 grams of this product contains from 200 to 260 calories, which is comparable to the energy value of meat.
Let's say salmon belongs to the latter group, and almost all river fish are low-fat. In the course of numerous studies, it has been proven that the amount of micronutrients that will be received by the body depends on the amount of fat in fish. Many vitamins and minerals can improve the condition of the skin, nail plates, and also speed up metabolic processes.
Another useful property of marine fish is the presence of a large amount of iodine in them. This micronutrient is essential for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. We also note the fairly high iron content in the product, which is extremely important for women.
River fish is also useful for the body, although it is inferior in this to sea fish. First of all, this concerns the amount of omega-3 fatty acids contained in it. But with regard to protein compounds and their amino acid profile, everything is fine. Scientists believe that river fish are an excellent dietary product that is great for people who have problems with the digestive system or want to lose weight.
How to choose a fish?
Knowing that eating fish turned out to be dangerous for the immune system, it is necessary to be more strict in the choice of this product. You must remember that the taste, as well as the benefits of fish, largely depends not on its breed, but on the living conditions. If you buy fish for future use, then you need to pay enough attention to the rules for its storage.
We recommend that you purchase the product from specialized stores. Prices on the market may be lower, but the quality requirements are not so high. We remember that eating fish turned out to be dangerous for the immune system if it grew up in polluted water bodies. The most common reason for the loss of beneficial properties of fish is repeated freezing cycles.
However, this statement is true for any food product. The best option is to purchase live or chilled fish. As a last resort, you can buy the product in "glaze". This is a new way of freezing, after which the fish is covered with a thin layer of ice.
Here are the main points to look out for when choosing fish:
- Look carefully at the gills, which are burgundy or scarlet in fresh fish. If it is gray and even more so black, then you should not buy such a fish.
- Fresh fish cannot have a cloudy look.
- The meat must be firm and firm, and also not have blue or purple hues. After pressing your finger on the carcass, the pulp quickly takes on its previous shape.
Let's also pay attention to the fact that the color of its meat can speak of repeated freezing of fish:
- Red fish - should not have a yellowish tinge.
- White fish - a dirty gray shade indicates frequent frost.
What types of fish are considered the most valuable?
A lot of people ask this question. It should be admitted that it is quite difficult, but we will try to answer. It is generally accepted that among the salmon family, the most valuable are trout and salmon. This is due to the presence in their meat of special substances that can slow down the aging process. In addition, they have a positive effect on the work of the cardiovascular system.
Among the cod family, nutritionists prefer hake, cod, pikta and pollock. This is a dietary fish breed that will be very beneficial for women during pregnancy. Herring and sardines have also been proven to have a high nutritional value. Many people still consider herring to be the most useless fish and are mistaken. These fish species contain the maximum amount of vitamins.
River fish is also useful for humans. Let's say pike is one of the best diet foods with only three percent fat. The most useful carp are crucian carp and carp. This is due to the presence of a large amount of calcium, which strengthens bone tissue. In addition, scientists have found special substances in them that have a positive effect on the quality of the skin and mucous membranes.
Although scientists have proven that eating fish has proven to be dangerous for the immune system, choosing the right product, and then correctly preparing it, you can get a lot of benefits from it. It is also necessary to say about the recommendations of nutritionists - you need to eat fish two or three times a week and at the same time alternate sea and river.
Many people talk about the benefits of raw fish, which is not always true. Today, many scientists note that special substances are synthesized in the body of peoples who throughout the history of development use seafood, including raw ones. They not only speed up the processing of food, but are also capable of destroying dangerous microorganisms. If we talk about the methods of preparing fish dishes, then it is best to bake or cook them. Fried food is not healthy and this statement is true of any food. Also, we do not recommend cooking fish soup from the heads of any species of fish. It is in them that the maximum amount of harmful substances accumulates most often. We remember that eating fish turned out to be dangerous for the immune system.
If we talk about smoked fish and canned food, then it is better to refrain from using them. There are many different additives used in the food industry today, some of which can be dangerous. Unfortunately, there are enough unscrupulous manufacturers. They absolutely do not care about your health, and in the first place is solely profit. Today you have learned a lot about what kind of fish is healthy and how to choose the right product.
