5 Health Benefits You Can Get from Salmon
One of the best sources of protein for humans is fish. Not only do the fish taste delicious but they also offer you loads of health benefits. Among the different varieties of fish, salmon is one of the healthier options. They’re found across the world and are extremely popular owing to their taste and high nutritious value.
The salmon also carry certain therapeutic characteristics. It possesses some potent antioxidant properties and are effective in treating nutritional deficiencies. It also has many benefits in store for the heart, eyes, brain, and other vital organs of your body. Here are some of the health benefits that you get from salmon:
1. Good for your heart
According to the recent studies, consuming baked or boiled fish lowers your heart rate. This significantly reduces the risk of heart-related diseases as well as heart failure. The salmon ar rich in omega-3, which is extremely good for your cardiovascular health.
Observations made during some independent studies indicated that the Japanese had reduced risk of heart diseases. This can be attributed to their diet, which mainly consists of fish. The amount of fatty acids found in the salmon largely contribute towards a healthy heart.
2. Improves brain functions
The presence of omega-3 fatty acids in the salmon plays a major role in reducing agressiveness and depression. This was even confirmed by the American Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Salmon consumption improves various brain functions and its cognitive abilities. It is particularly beneficial for children in the age group of 4 to 12 years who have mood problems.
A study on the impact of salmon consumption in mothers came up with some interesting observations. The findings showed that the mothers who consumed salmon had children with higher IQs. They also had improved social, motor, and communication abilities.
3. An excellent source of potassium
This is especially true in case of wild salmon. It contains 13% of the recommended daily value (RDV) of potassium per 0.13 kg. Apparently, wild salmon has more quantities of potassium than a medium-sized banana. The presence of potassium in the salmon helps in controlling blood pressure. Additionally, it reduces the risk of a stroke significantly.
4. Contains selenium
Although a human body requires only a small amount of selenium, including it in your diet is still necessary. Selenium is a mineral found in certain foods and in the soil. It helps in the maintenance of bone health and reduces thyroid antibodies caused due to autoimmune thyroid disease.
Besides, it also lowers the risk of cancer. A 100-gram serving of salmon consists of about 75 to 85 percent of the daily selenium requirement. Patients with low selenium levels can boost the quantity of this mineral in their blood.
5. Boosts good cholesterol
A salmon gets its distinctive red color from astaxanthin, which is a substance with many positive health benefits. It helps in reducing the amount of bad cholesterol in your body, which boosts the quantity of good cholesterol. Astaxanthin helps in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation considerably.
It protects your arteries by preventing the buildup of fatty plaque in them. This substance also protects the neurological system by operating with the omega-3 fatty acids.