Salmon, the tender, fatty fish is widely favorable and one of the healthiest foods in the food chain. This highly loaded nutritious fish boosts the body’s metabolism and reduces the risk of several health conditions. In this blog, let’s look at the salmon health benefits and risks in detail.
There are innumerable salmon fish health benefits—from adding nutritional value to preventing the onset of several diseases—making it one of the most recommended foods for almost all age groups.
Benefits and Risks of Eating Salmon
Almost all the food items we add to our diet come with their own benefits and risks. Salmon is no exception. In this section, let us explore the salmon benefits as well as the risks of eating it.
Salmon Health Benefits
- Salmon for Weight Loss
“Is salmon good for weight loss?” is one of the most common questions raised about salmon when someone prefers to lose weight. You might have heard about the nutritional value of salmon. It contains ample amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals.
Consuming salmon at least three times per week, irrespective of the form in which it is consumed, helps one to enhance their nutrient levels and lose weight considerably.
Just like many types of fish, salmon is a rich source of protein. Protein improves muscle-building and accelerates weight loss. Eating high-protein diet gives metabolic advantage, which directly results in reduction of weight. Therefore, if you are planning to lose weight, you can add portions of salmon to your diet.
- Salmon for Skin and Hair
Inflammation is one of the major factors contributing to the damage to skin and hair. It breaks down elastin and collagen, the two components that make your skin look young.
The omega-3 fatty acid components present in salmon reduce the risk of inflammation, thereby maintaining the skin. The good fats present in salmon help the skin secrete healthy oils, which assist in maintaining moisture levels and help your skin stay hydrated.
Omega-3 fatty acids also contribute to healthy hair growth by keeping the scalp healthy. The protein and Vitamin D present in salmon help keep the hair strong and assist in the further growth of hair follicles. Eating salmon can also maintain the density of hair.
Is Smoked Salmon Healthy?
Salmon Cooking Methods: There are several methods to cooking salmon and smoking is one of them. Smoked salmon is one of the most famous forms of salmon consumed and it retains the nutrients even after smoking. Some of the major health benefits of smoked salmon are given here.
- Improved brain health
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Maintains a healthy weight
- Eases inflammation
- Lowers anxiety
- Reduces the risk of cognitive decline
Smoked salmon is also low in calories. So, you need not worry about weight gain if you are planning to add it to your diet. In fact, the protein in salmon keeps you fuller for a longer period. It also boosts your metabolism and assists you in shedding all of those extra pounds.
The omega-3 fatty acids in smoked salmon play a crucial role in preventing heart disease by balancing out the omega-6 fatty acids that the blood contains. Therefore, consuming salmon is one of the diet alterations that would benefit cardio-health.
Salmon Fish Oil
Salmon oil is the go-to food to include in your diet for various health benefits. The intake of salmon oil is as beneficial as eating the fish.
Blackened Salmon
Blackened salmon is much healthier than salmon that is cooked the usual way. Why? It’s because no oil, cream, or butter is used in preparing blackened salmon. However, the natural fats available in the fish help keep it juicy. You can even enjoy the goodness of blackened salmon by adding a mix of spices and herbs to it.
Marinated Salmon
You can marinate salmon for 30 minutes. If required, you can extend the marinating time to 1 hour. Marinating the fish enhances its flavor, and at the same time, it will also maintain the inherent taste of the fish. That’s the reason why many people prefer marinated salmon.
Can You Eat Raw Salmon?
Many people have the question, “Is raw meat good for health?” in mind. In this section, let’s discuss the answer to this question in detail.
You can eat raw salmon, provided you follow all the necessary precautions before eating it. For instance, you must ensure that the fish is 100% fresh before consumption. Also, check your salmon for any worms. Choose what to eat with your salmon. In other words, have some suitable side dishes to go with the raw fish.
Last but not least, make sure the tools you use for cutting and preparing the raw salmon are completely clean.
Now, you have the answer to your question, “Can I eat raw salmon?”
Other Health Benefits of Salmon
Salmon is a great source of different nutrients that provide the required nourishment for the body. The fish contains selenium, potassium, and B vitamins.
Salmon contains nutrient components the body cannot synthesize, making it one of the most essential food sources.
Salmon for Seniors
Salmon is associated with reduced risks of Alzheimer’s disease because of its omega-3 fatty acids. Hence, it is recommended that seniors include this fish in their diet. But they first need to consult their doctor or healthcare provider before they begin consuming salmon.
Salmon Risks
Even though salmon has several nutritional benefits, it’s still associated with some risks if one consumes the fish regularly. There are high chances of fish ingesting chemicals like mercury and other components present in the water bodies. These chemicals are pretty harmful to the human body.
Eating salmon in large quantities may expose the body to chemicals that trigger cancer, or carcinogens.
Can You Eat Salmon While Pregnant?
There are varied ideas regarding the consumption of salmon during pregnancy. Since raw salmon is associated with food-borne illness, it’s better to avoid large portions of the fish in your diet during pregnancy.
Young children and pregnant women are also advised to avoid farmed salmon as it can reduce IQ and affect cognitive functions. Sometimes, when pregnant mothers eat salmon or other kinds of fish, they might pass on the toxins from the fish to their babies.
Other Risks of Eating Salmon
When you eat certain types of salmon, there is a possibility that you might also consume some microplastics along with the fish. Fish is one of the primary sources of microplastic consumption among people in the US. Salmon and other types of fish get these microplastics into their systems from the waterways where they swim.
Some people wonder if it is safe to eat salmon skin. Again, eating the skin has its own merits and demerits!
Eat Salmon Wisely
While salmon comes with a lot of healthy benefits, keep in mind that overeating the fish can lead to adverse side effects. As stated earlier, get the advice of your doctor before you begin adding salmon to your meals. Remember that salmon has its own risks. So, make sure you take into account all the salmon health benefits and risks.
