Nutritional Content and Benefits of Seafood for Health

Besides the delicious taste, seafood or seafood popular because it contains many nutrients that are good for the body. Contentprotein, omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins and minerals seafoodtoo important to pass up.

In addition to containing protein, vitamins, and minerals, seafood is known to be rich in nutrients that animals that live on land don't have. These nutrients include omega-3 fatty acids, particularly -acids eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and acid docosahexsaenoic (DHA) which is beneficial for the body.

Seafood is an important source of nutrients for people who follow certain diets, such as the pescatarian diet. To find out the benefits of these nutrients, see the explanation below.

Variety of Nutritional Contentand Benefits Seafood

The following are the health benefits of seafood based on the nutritional content in it:

1. Protein

Seafood is a great source of high-quality protein because they are generally also low in bad fats. This protein is very good consumed by children and adolescents because it can increase muscle mass and strength. Meanwhile, for adults, high protein food intake can also keep the body fit and strong.

All seafood contains different protein values. However, tuna and salmon are the best types of seafood, because they are lower in calories and contain lots of healthy fats.

2. Vitamins

Seafood also contains a number of vitamins to support the body's organs to function optimally. Some of these vitamins are:

  • Vitamin A for eye health
  • Vitamin D for healthy teeth and bones
  • Vitamin E as an antioxidant that is useful for fighting free radicals
  • Vitamin B12 to protect nerve cells

Some examples of seafood that contain vitamins A, D, and B12 are salmon, tuna, sardines, shrimp, and mackerel. Meanwhile, seafood that contains vitamin E, including octopus, salmon, abalone, and lobster.

3. Minerals

Minerals that can be found in seafood include iron and iodine. Both have an important role in health. Iron is useful for preventing anemia, and iodine is useful for preventing goiter. Examples of seafood that are high in this mineral include salmon, sardines, and tuna.

4. Acid lmom omega-3

Seafood is known for its omega-3 fatty acid content consisting of DHA and EPA. Both types of fat have a very beneficial role for the body.

EPA plays a role in helping fight inflammation, while DHA plays an important role in supporting the development of brain function and vision function, as well as lowering the risk of chronic disease.

Omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from various types of fish, such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, tuna, mackerel, pomfret, skipjack, mackerel, and sardines. In addition to fish, other seafood that contains omega-3 acids include oysters, shrimp, and lobster.

5. Carotenoids

There are many seafoods that contain carotenoids. Examples are shrimp, crab, and salmon. The compounds that give rise to the red and orange colors are known to have many benefits, including lowering blood fat levels and working as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

In addition to the nutrients above, you can also get carbohydrates and fiber from seafood. The only seafood that contains carbohydrates and fiber is seaweed.

The polysaccharide compounds contained in seaweed are known to be beneficial in maintaining a healthy digestive system, as well as helping to increase the growth of good bacteria in the intestines.

A variety of seafood can provide you with a variety of nutrients that are beneficial to the body. Even so, the consumption of seafood also needs to pay attention to the rules.

Limit your consumption of large fish, such as shark, fish, mackerel, swordfish, and marlin. These fish tend to contain more mercury. In high levels, mercury exposure can harm the immune system, brain, lungs, heart, and kidneys.

In addition, also limit your seafood consumption to about 2-3 servings per week, because you also need a variety of nutrients from other foods. So, balance the consumption of seafood with beef, chicken, and of course fruit, vegetables, and nuts.

If necessary, consult a nutritionist regarding the recommended healthy menu according to your body condition.