5 minutes
Would you eat cuttlefish? This mollusk is beneficial for your diet. We tell you how it contributes and how you can get the most out of it.
The cuttlefish, also known as crashed or cuttlefish, is a cephalopod mollusk with ten tentacles. Live at the bottom of shallow seas sand or sediment. There it is partially buried and feeds on small fish, other mollusks and crustaceans.
This being has an important nutritional value. It has a low fat and cholesterol content. In addition, it is a source of proteins, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.
Characteristics of the cuttlefish
This mollusk is flattened and oval in shape. Your shell is made up mostly of calcium and covers your entire body. Its arms are arranged in four pairs around the mouth with numerous suction cups on the inside. One pair is the longest and serves to capture prey and another contains a sepia-colored ink.
It has thin fins that help it swim. But it also has a siphon behind the head. This allows it to emit a high pressure jet of water to swim at high speed for short distances. Around there he also releases the ink to avoid his enemies. Lays eggs in corals, algae, and shells.
They can be found in the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the North Baltic seas, or South Africa. Therefore, it is a fairly common dish in these areas.
It is a cephalopod that can be found in markets throughout the year. It is sold fresh and its meat must be shiny, firm, moist and soft.
Nutritional value of cuttlefish
The cuttlefish is one of the mollusks that they provide fewer calories. While the octopus provides 86 calories and the squid 97, cuttlefish only 71 per 100 grams.
As for fat, it has 0.7 grams. The squid has 1.4 and the octopus 0.9 grams. Regarding protein, octopus provides 18 grams, squid 15.6 and cuttlefish 16.1 grams.
It is also an important source of sodium, potassium, iodine and phosphorus.. It contains 370 milligrams of sodium, 310 milligrams of potassium, 64 milligrams of iodine, and 270 milligrams of phosphorus per 100-gram serving.
Properties and benefits of cuttlefish
The benefits and properties of cuttlefish are related to the amount of minerals it has. Here we explain each one to you.
1. Prevents iodine deficiency
Iodine is a mineral necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Its absence can cause retardation in physical and mental growth, muscle stiffness and even deafness.
In addition to being linked to a disease known as hypothyroidism. It occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. This can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dry skin, and muscle stiffness.
2. Helps tissue regeneration
By having high contents of folic acid, cuttlefish helps tissue regeneration. Regeneration is the natural process to replace or repair damaged body parts. In humans it is the formation of thick scars, the growth of hair and the healing of broken bones.
3. Protects the immune system
Cuttlefish contains 2.4 milligrams of vitamin E. If there is a lack of this vitamin, there is a destabilization of the membranes in the cells of the immune system and a decrease in the production of immunoglobulin. The recommended levels of vitamin E per day are 12 milligrams.
It is also associated with reduced cell-mediated immunity and deficits in interleukin-2 production. Interleukin is a protein that is responsible for the growth of white blood cells.
4. Prevents cardiovascular diseases
Selenium is an important mineral for the body. Cuttlefish provides 65 milligrams of this compound.
Therefore, there is the possibility that it helps prevent cardiovascular disease. Those with low selenium levels they are more likely to suffer heart-related pathologies.
5. Possible anticancer
They’re in study the possible anticancer effects of selenium. It is estimated that those who consume low amounts of this compound have a greater risk of suffering from different types of cancers. Nevertheless, more information is needed to reach a conclusion.
6. Low in calories
Cuttlefish is low in calories, as we already said. It can help you lose weight and it is ideal for diets.
Contraindications of the consumption of cuttlefish
Cuttlefish are high in cholesterol. Therefore, it should be consumed in moderation, since these high levels can affect heart health.
High cholesterol promotes the accumulation of atheroma plaques in the arteries. This reduces blood flow and is associated with heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, it should be included in the diet in moderation.
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