Health Benefits of Salmon

Hi all, I hope the week is continuing to treat everyone well. Sticking with the Chinese New Year season, today I want to write about one of the ingredients commonly found in yee sang – salmon! Like all fish and shellfish, salmon is also dense in nutrients and is an extremely healthy food which can be prepared in so many ways. But what exactly does it contain? Read on to find out more!

Salmon is a tremendous source of nutrients such as protein, vitamin B12, and minerals like potassium and selenium; however, it is best known for its omega-3 fatty acid content. In addition, a 100g serving of salmon only contains 231 calories which does not take up a huge chunk of the daily quota for adults.

Classified as an essential fatty acid, omega-3 is a crucial component in a healthy and balanced diet. It is beneficial for your heart as well as your joints, and also helps your general wellbeing. Healthy brain function is also a beneficiary of mega-3, leading some to label salmon and other fish as “brain food.” Scientists have also run and completed studies which indicate that the consumption of salmon and other fish can help to reduce the risk of several types of cancer, as well as chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s, high blood pressure and more!

As a rich source of omega-3, salmon’s other nutrients are often overlooked and ignored; however, they should also be taken into account. One of these is the protein and amino acid that is present in salmon. Research conducted has shown that salmon has a specific, bioactive protein molecule that is different to others – this is called bioactive peptides. This has been shown to be beneficial to cartilage in your joints, insulin levels, and to control inflammation in your digestive tract. Scientists are continuing to discover new health benefits with regards to these bioactive peptides, meaning that there is possibly a plethora of health benefits you are enjoying without even realising it at all!

Salmon is also known to contain vitamin D, a key nutrient that helps to maintain your general health. Not getting enough vitamin D has been shown to increase the risk of cancer, multiple sclerosis, heart diseases, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. That’s a lot of health conditions! A single can or serving of salmon will contain enough vitamin D for one day.

It also contains a high amount of tryptophan – a natural sedative that helps to increase sleepiness for those consuming it. This can help individuals suffering from mild insomnia as well as reducing the time needed to fall asleep at night. You can say goodbye to those sleepless nights!

What’s more, it also reduces macular degeneration as mentioned earlier; this is a condition that results in the loss of vision. Consuming salmon twice weekly has been shown to reduce the risk of this condition significantly. Not only do you get to eat a delicious meal, you also retain the health of your eyes. Talk about a win-win situation!