Seafood is any kind of marine life which is regarded as edible by human beings. Seafood includes mollusks like octopus and shellfish, fishes, crustaceans like shrimps and lobsters, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Micro algae and seaweeds are also consumed by humans as sea vegetables. The principal sea fishes include trout, cod, mackerel, anchovy, carp, herring, tuna, snapper, salmon, halibut, sardine, eel, catfish and haddock. Seafood is immensely popular all over the world. They are eaten raw, baked, cooked and even smoked for consumption. Seafood is not only popular because of the taste but also due to the various health benefits associated with it. Some of the health benefits are mentioned as follows.
Seafood is low in fat
Seafood is extremely low in fat quantity. A recent research has brought to light the fact that seafood has extremely low quantities of fat. This makes it immensely popular among individuals who want to shed weight and also for those individuals who want to maintain a good health. Seafood has lower fat content than even the leanest chicken or meat, that an individual can get from the market. Another advantage with seafood is that an individual does not have to trim the fat from the food he or she eats. You can simply bake, grill, barbeque, steam, micro wave or poach the seafood as it has low fat content. Using less oil to cook the fish will keep down the fats.
Seafood is low in cholesterol level
An essential part of all living animal tissue is the compound called cholesterol. Humans can accumulate more cholesterol than is required for the human body by consuming saturated fats in large quantities. Seafood has extremely low quantity of saturated fats and the fat which is found in seafood is mainly unsaturated fats. Eating seafood like fish can help in reducing the cholesterol levels in many people and also help in reducing the chances of heart diseases.
Seafood is high in proteins
Proteins are the building blocks of life and seafood is a very good source of proteins. The proteins that can be got by consuming fishes of the sea are high quality proteins. The protein can easily compete with other protein sources like meat or chicken. The fishes of the sea feed on algae and corals. The protein from the algae and corals are accumulated in the body of the fish. When the same fish is consumed by a human, he is also immensely benefited from the proteins found in the fish.
Seafood is high in vitamins and minerals
Iodine, potassium, zinc and phosphorus are the dominant minerals found in seafood. Seafood is an extremely rich and natural source of these minerals. It is also extremely rich in vitamins. Vitamin B and its components are the most dominantly found vitamins in seafood. According to doctors, consuming seafood is a good way to replenish the vitamin needs of the human body. The fishes which consume various algae and rocks accumulate the vitamins and minerals in their bodies. These fishes when consumed by humans are immensely benefited. Seafood is also a good source of Vitamin A and consuming seafood helps in keeping your eyes and skin healthy. Vitamin D is also found in seafood and this helps individuals in helping their body absorb calcium which is so much essential for healthy teeth and strong bones.
Seafood is rich in omega 3 fats
Omega 3 fats are a kind of polyunsaturated fats and are an important element required by the human body. Omega 3 fats help in the development of the brain, makes your skin glowing, helps in shedding weight, reduces the cholesterol level and is also good for the various organs of the body. Omega 3 fats cannot be made by the human body. This has to be consumed by eating substances rich in omega 3 fats. Seafood is one such omega 3 fats source. Long chain omega 3 fats are used effectively in the human body. Long chain omega 3 fats include DHA, which helps in the development of the brain. The retina of the eye also has a large concentration of this compound. The heart is also composed of DHA in large quantities. Oily fish, non-oily fish and even shellfish are rich sources of the omega 3 fats. Consumption of seafood also helps in preventing muscular degeneration in many individuals.
Seafood and health of women
Consumption of seafood has been found to have major benefits for women. Glowing and younger looking skin, great hair is benefits that many women have derived from consuming seafood. Apart from this positive effect, consumption of seafood also leads to positive benefits for pregnant women. Women who consume seafood during their pregnancy will pass on the benefits of the seafood to their children. The omega 3 fats, vitamins and minerals in seafood will be immensely helpful for the development of the child. For mothers who are breastfeeding their children, the vitamins and minerals will be passed to their children through their milk. Consuming fish also reduces the chances of delivering premature babies. Adding a single portion of seafood to the diet of pregnant women can have several good effects on the health of the child.
Seafood beneficial for children/ infants
Mothers who had taken seafood during their pregnancy will pass on the beneficial effects of seafood to their unborn child in their womb. Clinical research shows that such children have good development of their eyesight and their brain while in the womb of their mothers. The DHA found in seafood is the reason for this beneficial effect on the infants. Children who consume seafood regularly have been found to have better memories than other children. Children who are fed seafood have also been found to have good eyesight and neural development. Children with AIDA problem can also be cured by increasing their intake of seafood. The DHA in seafood will help the children in increasing their concentration and help in reducing their behavioral problems.
Seafood and disease prevention
Seafood consumption has been found to help prevent many life threatening diseases in individuals. Prime among them is protection against heart diseases which can be allayed due to the low fat amount in seafood. Cholesterol levels are lowered and hence heart diseases are kept at bay. Seafood consumption also helps in reducing blood pressure. It also helps individuals suffering from diseases like asthma, Alzheimer disease, cancer, stroke or depression. A recent study has brought forth facts that men who did not eat fish have greater risks of developing cancer compared to those who ate fish. Sea fish contains selenium, an ingredient which has cancer fighting properties. Serotonin found in fish also helps in combating depression. Serotonin reduces the hormones which lead to the formation of the depressing feelings in the individuals. It helps in promoting positive feelings in the individual. Seafood also helps individuals suffering from AIDA and helps in their improvement.
Seafood helps in reducing inflammation and pain
Omega 3 fats found abundantly in sea
food help in the regulation of the inflammation process in the body of an individual. Omega 3 fatty acids operate through several mechanisms and helps in the reduction of inflammation in the joints and muscles in the body. These omega 3 fats helps in relieving individuals from conditions like arthritis, cystitis and prostatitis. These conditions lead to inflammation in the various joints of an individual making walking or moving difficult for the person. For such people consumption of seafood which is rich in omega 3 fats is a good way to combat the pains accompanying these diseases and reduce inflammation. Increasing the intake of seafood helps in getting rid from the intense pain accompanied with these health conditions. Wearing of the cartilage leads to the development of osteoarthritis in individuals. This is a very painful situation and individuals find it extremely difficult to walk or sit. This wearing of the cartilage causes friction between the joints leading to pain in the joints of the individual. Seafood consumption has been suggested by doctors to prevent the wearing of the cartilage and help the individual to walk properly.
Seafood and weight loss
Seafood includes various kinds of fish. These fishes are abundant sources or fish oil which is rich in omega 3 fats. Fish oil contains a good amount of polyunsaturated fats which are good fats essential for the human body. These fats help in ameliorating fats in various parts of the body. The omega 3 fats also have a good effect on reducing the bad fats which are triglycerides. It also helps in the oxidation of the immature fat cells. The omega 3 fats in sea fishes are very helpful in metabolizing faster and this helps in getting rid of fats easily. Research conducted on individuals has shown that about six grams of sea fish oil consumption can lead to a decrease in three pounds of weight within three weeks. The rate of losing weight among individuals who has consumed sea fish is higher than among individuals who opt for the other methods of weight loss.