Cod: Health Benefits And Side Effects
The History Of Cod In Nutrition
Cod is a fish from the cod family. Now Pollock is also included in it. Cod is found in the Atlantic Ocean. They usually catch fish up to 80 cm up to 10 years of age.
Cod is one of the most valuable commercial fish. Her liver is the most important raw material for the extraction of fish oil and the manufacture of canned food, and her meat is popular and budget-friendly.
But due to active fishing, problems arose with the number of cod. So, in the 90s, Canada was forced to declare a moratorium on cod fishing, since its number was only 1% of the previous estimate. The fish was on the verge of extinction. Gradually the situation improved.
Monuments have been erected in honour of cod in Murmansk and Bergen.
Composition And Calorie Content Of Cod
| Calories per 100 grams | 78 kcal |
| Squirrels | 17.8 g |
| Fats | 0.7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
Health Benefits Of Cod
Cod has a very rich composition of vitamins and minerals. It contains a lot of potassium, phosphorus, iodine, sulphur, fluorine, as well as vitamins of group B, A, E and others.
The healthy fats contained in this fish are very valuable: Omega-3 and Omega-6. According to many studies, regular consumption of cod reduces the risk of pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. This effect is associated precisely with the high concentration of polyunsaturated acids.
B vitamins and fatty acids have a positive effect on the nervous system. The inclusion of cod in the diet helps improve memory, attention, and increases resistance to stress. Relief of depressive states was also noted.
Cod is great for nutrition in liver diseases, obesity. The proteins of this fish are easily digested and do not overload the body. In boiled form, it is given even to small children.
The Side Effects Of Cod
Cod lives in that part of the ocean where there is a high content of mercury. Therefore, it is recommended to consume this fish no more than twice a month. The accumulation of mercury in the body is dangerous to health, especially for pregnant women and children. They had better stop eating fish from such areas of the ocean.
We must not forget to treat cod well for the prevention of helminthiasis, like any fish. With poor heat treatment, there is a risk of infection. You should not eat cod if you are allergic to seafood, or only with caution after consulting a doctor.
The Use Of Cod In Medicine
Due to the high protein content and almost no fat, cod is recommended by nutritionists for losing weight. Cod helps suppress hunger, because proteins saturate for a long time. At the same time, there is no calorie overload, since the product is low in fat.
Cod liver serves as a raw material for the extraction of valuable fish oil. It is taken in the form of capsules or in liquid form to make up for vitamin deficiencies. Cod liver oil contains vitamins A, D, omega-3 fatty acid. The lack of these substances leads to fragility of nails, hair, bones. And during pregnancy, this threatens with problems with the development of the embryo.
