Seafood is one of the natural parts of a balanced diet. Seafood has beneficial effects on health of people. Most people in the world crave for sea food. Several important nutrients are present in sea food which not naturally present in other food. It helps to
maintain a status of good nutritional. However, opinions conflict when it comes to assessing the good and bad effects of this food.
Seafood has been one of the favorite foods of the mankind ever since they started it with fishing. Many variations have been done in sea food preparations over the generations. Countries like Japanese, Asian, Mexican, American and a lot of other countries have added their own uniqueness to seafood dishes. Seafood is a scrumptious food variety and also a contentious one amongst food and health lovers. Over the positive and negative aspects of this food variety, judgments are divided.
Seafood contains high levels of many important nutrients like proteins, very long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), vitamin D, vitamin B12, selenium and iodine. A lot about the health effects are associated with these nutrients. As far as seafood is concerned due to the health benefits of utilizing the marine omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA that are best documented.
Benefits of Seafood:
A lot of nutrients are present in sea foods. So, some experts argue that sea food can help to decrease the risk of heart problems. Eating seafood two times a week is great for the heart according to the Institute of Medicine in Washington, US. According to the Institute, the types of fishes that should be eaten are shellfishes.
For human health, omega-3 fatty acids are necessary but it cannot be formed by the body. So, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food. Omega-3 fatty acids are present in fish and seafood. Oily seafood such as salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines, herring, tuna, anchovies, tiger prawns and blue mussels are excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may be helpful to treat a variety of diseases. Mainly, it is helpful to treat heart disease and problems that contribute to heart disease. However, it is also advantageous for people who suffer from high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, arthritis and osteoporosis.
Seafood is filled with high quality protein and also it is a supplier of many micronutrients according to some other sources. In addition, seafood is also a very rich source of different kinds of omega 3 fatty acids including eicosapentaemoic and docosahexaenoic acid.
Disadvantages of Eating Sea Food:
Some people approve seafood as it supplies nutrition and protein that’s essential for the body while several other people disapprove it. In most of fishes, toxic mercury level is so high which is the most potent argument against seafood utilization. It is also pointed out by experts that some fishes like tuna, and swordfish etc. has more mercury level than other varieties. According to the US Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency, women and young kids must not consume too much of swordfish, mackerel and shark.
Specific instructions are provided by health experts and dieticians for pregnant women. Cognitive defects in the fetus and kids can be produced by eating too much of sea food that contain a high level of mercury. A harmful agent, methyl mercury is found in larger variety of fishes like shark which is also known to cause delay in the development of growing children. On the other hand, adults stand the risk of experiencing heart problems, kidney and nervous system functions.
Due to its so many risks, eating of sea food is safe or not? According to experts, it might be safe to eat aquatic food preparations or seafood, but with some restraint. Also, the amount of utilization based on the physical condition of a certain person.
Such as, some sources suggest that if pregnant women want to eat sea food then they can do so. Such women can eat about 6-12 ounces of sea food in a week and the fish variety should be something like albacore tuna.
