Salmon is known as a reddish, tender, and firm type of fish – it is one of the top choices for people that live in the United States, primarily because of its buttery and rich flavour.
Interestingly, this is actually good for your health.
There are different types of Pacific salmon that you can choose from including:
- Pink
- King or Chinook
- Sockeye
- Coho
And several others that you can choose from.
There is another type of salmon that is also popularly called Atlantic salmon. Although you cannot fish for this in the United States, as it is prohibited, American supermarkets provide this from businesses that produce them in a farm-raised atmosphere.
What Are The Nutritional Benefits?
There are many nutritional benefits, even if you are only consuming up to 4 ounces of this fish, which comes out to roughly 200 cal. It does not have a lot of saturated fat and is an excellent source for people looking for protein. Vitamin B12 is abundant in this fish. You also have the benefit of nutrients such as vitamin D, iron, and a significant amount of potassium.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Salmon?
Vitamin B12 is beneficial for the human body because it is used to help make DNA, and can also assist in maintaining the proper function of your nerve cells and the production of blood. In regard to your health, omega-3 fatty acids are also abundant and needed by the body. These are called essential fatty acids. Since your body cannot make them, you need to find ways of getting them into your system because of the critical role that they play. By consuming enough omega-3’s, you can have the added benefit of avoiding:
- Heart attacks, strokes, or other types of cardiovascular disease
- various types of cancer
- Alzheimer’s
- Dementia
- Rheumatoid arthritis can also be abated
There are many experts that recommend the consumption of 8 ounces of seafood every week, and this will include fish like salmon that is high in omega-3’s. Both the EPA and the FDA state that kids should have at least 4 ounces of salmon every week, and this should be around the age of two. Young children, along with pregnant women, should try to avoid fish because of the abundance of mercury. Fortunately, salmon is not in this category. If you live in the UK I would recommend that you see ‘best fish smoker UK‘.
The Risks Associated With Consuming Salmon
It is possible to develop bleeding problems if you consume salmon because of the high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids due to its effect on anticoagulant drugs. There are guidelines that you need to follow.
The difference between wild salmon, and salmon that farm, are also an area of debate. Many people believe that wild fish will not have contaminants such as antibiotics or chemicals. Other people state that Atlantic salmon that is farming is the best choice, mostly because of how federal laws regulate its production and harvesting.
How To Prepare Salmon
In general, the fish that you consume should have a mild and fresh aroma, instead of something that smells proverbially fishy. It is important to purchase fish that has been refrigerated, or if it is out in the open, it should be positioned on a large quantity of ice. Although you can consume frozen seafood, just make sure that it is not squishy or leaking.
If you are going to cook salmon, you need to make sure it is clean. You should also use clean utensils, cutting boards, and also wash your hands. This will avoid the probability of spreading bacteria from fish to the other food that you are preparing.
If you do have frozen salmon, it should be placed in the refrigerator overnight to gradually thaw. If it must be done much more rapidly, using a leakproof bag, and running cold water over the fish, can suffice. Using a microwave is an option, but if you do this, it should be cooked directly after you have defrosted it.
It is important to never leave any type of perishable food, especially seafood, at room temperatures for longer than two hours.
If you decide to cook your salmon yourself, 145°F should be the internal temperature, something that will lead to an opaque appearance in the flesh of the salmon, plus it will be easier to separate with a fork. If you decide to eat this raw, it is important to freeze it initially to eliminate any potential parasites. It is very common for germs in fish to reside in the meat if it is raw, and this is why so many people recommend baking, poaching, grilling, or broiling salmon before consuming it.