Belonging to the family of salmon trout is considered one of the most exquisite varieties of fish. Known for its excellent taste and beneficial properties, it, unfortunately, rarely appears on the tables of ordinary citizens because of the very high price. Now it is mainly bought only on holidays as a delicacy, but despite this, in fact, trout is perfect for everyday eating. This article will talk about the benefits and harms of trout for the human body.
Trout features
Before talking about the benefits and harms of trout, you should find out what this fish is. As mentioned earlier, it belongs to the salmon family, which includes a wide variety of species. However, they all have one common feature - they can live only in clean and cold bodies of water, and therefore usually the quality of trout is very high.
In appearance, the trout is a fish with an elongated body, which is slightly compressed on the sides. Her scales are standardly very small and slightly shiny. Its color depends on the color of the water in which the trout lives. Depending on the species, it can have a different size, although by default its weight does not exceed 1 kg and a length of 50 cm. Trout males are usually larger than females and also have a larger head.
The energy value
Almost all the health benefits and harms of trout depend on its nutritional value. A large number of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, trace elements and amino acids contained in it give the fish an incredibly refined taste, and also help to provide the human body with all the nutrients it needs.
In addition, this fish has a relatively low calorie content - only 88 kcal per 100 grams, so even those who want to lose weight or eat proper nutrition can safely eat it.
Fish selection
Trout is a rather expensive fish, and therefore it is very important during the trip to the store to choose the most high-quality and fresh product in order to get a large amount of nutrients. When buying, be sure to pay attention to:
- The color and elasticity of the skin, as well as the general presentation. Slippery and firm skin indicates the freshness of the fish. However, if the fish looks unnaturally bright, then this may indicate that the sellers specially processed it.
- Turbidity in the eyes - her presence hints that the fish has been lying for a long time.
- The color of the gills should be pinkish, if they are dark brown, this means that the fish is stale.
Beneficial features
When considering the benefits and harms of trout for the body, the first thing worth mentioning is its beneficial qualities. This fish should definitely be introduced into the diet, if only because the amount of nutrients contained in it can almost completely provide the daily norm for the human body.
In addition, the constant use of this fish improves brain function and increases activity, helping to quickly cope with any signs of fatigue and drowsiness.
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in large quantities in trout, also have a positive effect on the brain and central nervous system, suppressing signs of depression and stress. Also, this substance helps to remove harmful cholesterol from the blood and improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, which is useful to prevent a heart attack or the development of other diseases.
The beneficial properties of trout also include the prevention of many dangerous diseases. It was found that people who regularly consume this fish have a lower risk of developing cancer, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.
As mentioned earlier, trout is also a low-calorie product, and therefore even those who carefully monitor the amount of calories consumed can use it. In addition, it is quickly digested in the stomach, and therefore useful substances quickly enter the bloodstream. It can be consumed even by children and allergy sufferers, as this fish belongs to hypoallergenic varieties.
Harmful properties
Trout is not only beneficial, but also harmful to the body, therefore, when introducing it into the diet, all contraindications must be taken into account. First of all, it must be used very carefully during pregnancy and during lactation, because often fish contains mercury. And if the proportion of the substance that is in it is minuscule for an adult and cannot harm him, then it can affect a child very negatively.
Also, people with ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract and liver disorders should be very attentive to this fish, since the saturated fats in it increase the level of the digestive system. It will also be better not to use trout heads when preparing dishes, since it is in them that toxic substances accumulate from the reservoirs in which the trout inhabited.
Sea trout
Now let's talk directly about the benefits and harms of sea trout, as well as its differences from all other varieties. Such a fish is considered the most valuable prey for the fisherman, because it is very difficult to catch. Her meat is more red in color than all other varieties. Females are usually larger than males, and the fish itself may be larger than their relatives from other habitats. In size, it can reach from 50 cm to 1 m, and individuals up to 25 kg are found in weight, although they rarely actually grow so large.
The meat of this type of trout is more fat and tasty than the other varieties, it contains a large number of vitamins and amino acids, as well as a higher calorie content. Frequent use of it positively affects metabolism, lowers cholesterol, and also helps fight depression and improves memory. It is often recommended for the restoration of protein and fat metabolism, as well as the prevention of oncology.
But since sea trout is more oily, it is not recommended for people with diseases of the liver, stomach and duodenum, since it makes damaged organs work more intensively during digestion.
Rainbow trout
One of the most common species that fishers actively hunt is rainbow trout. The benefits and harms of this species, which lives in ponds and lakes, are practically no different from all other varieties. Its standard dimensions are 40-50 cm in length and weighs about two kilograms. A special feature is the light shades of scales, which are almost invisible at the bottom of the lake, which led to the fact that this fish is often called white trout.
The meat of the rainbow trout is light pink, and it is significantly less greasy than that of the sea fish. In addition, it is much less expensive, and therefore it can be cooked more often without causing particular harm to the wallet.
Now let's talk directly about the benefits and harms of trout fish. Its calorie content is slightly higher - 119 kcal per 100 grams, but it still refers to low-calorie foods that are suitable for adherents of a healthy diet and losing weight. It contains a large amount of protein, omega-3s, as well as vitamins A, E and D, which are very useful for human life, especially for those who lead an active lifestyle. Also, regularly using rainbow trout, you can easily make up for the lack of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron and sodium in the body.
Surprisingly, rainbow trout has only one contraindication - an allergic reaction, so if it is not available, then you can use this fish for your pleasure without any harm - although you need to do this in normal quantities.
River trout
Now we turn to finding out the benefits and harms of river trout. It lives in streams and rivers located in mountainous areas, since it is here that the cleanest waters are. This variety is considered the most valuable, since the meat of this fish is clean and very nutritious, and also has a delicate aftertaste.
It is small in size - the usual size of wild individuals is about 35 cm, and the weight is not more than half a kilogram. Her meat color has a pinkish tint as standard.
Now directly consider the benefits and harms of trout of this species. First of all, fish is considered a valuable source of animal protein, which is very well absorbed by the body. A huge amount of amino acids contained in it helps to improve protein metabolism, and also affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system and helps to cope with anemia. Quite often, river trout is recommended for use by people who suffer from severe and long-term diseases to replenish their strength.
The role of unsaturated fatty acids, which are found in large numbers in trout, cannot be understated. They prevent the development of atherosclerosis, and also help to cope with ischemia, heart attacks and strokes, and often even prevent them.
The benefits and harms of farmed trout
Due to the current environmental situation, as well as the needs of mankind in fish products, fish are increasingly being grown in artificial reservoirs. However, it is worth understanding that the benefits and harms of trout produced in this way are significantly different from its wild counterparts.
Unfortunately, various hormones, antibiotics, food additives, preservatives and dyes, that is, a variety of chemicals that negatively affect taste and benefits, are actively used in this area. For example, to add color to the meat, the dye canthaxanthin is added to the feed, which adversely affects human vision, and also destroys the iris of the eye. Hormonal stimulants, which are also very popular, accelerate the growth of fish, making it larger, but its meat is much softer and more fatty, which is also harmful to humans.
It is impossible not to mention parasites. Since the grown trout lives in confined conditions, and in rather close conditions, often the disease of one individual can lead to the disease of the whole livestock. That is why fish are actively stuffed with antibiotics to prevent monetary losses. All this has led to the fact that meat contains such a large amount of carcinogens that they only increase the risk of developing cancer, but do not prevent it.
The benefits and harms of slightly salted trout
Trout meat, like its caviar, is now considered one of the most delicious delicacies. Basically, it is served slightly salted, since in this form you can feel all the nuances of taste. It should be noted that in this form this product has the same great benefit as if it were boiled or steamed. Of course, its calorie content will be much higher - 229 kcal per 100 grams, but in slightly salted form trout is usually used in small quantities as a snack or canapé.
Lightly salted trout contains a large number of useful vitamins and minerals, and therefore it is often recommended for people with melancholy or depression, since its regular introduction to the diet helps to cope with a bad mood. It also helps to remove harmful toxins from the body and helps fight intestinal diseases.
If we consider the benefits and harms of slightly salted trout, we cannot but mention phosphorus, which positively affects the body, improving the functioning of the brain and circulatory system. However, it is worth mentioning the main disadvantage of this product - it cannot be eaten by hypertensive patients, as the salt contained in the dish can easily increase pressure, which will negatively affect one's well-being.
Salted trout: is it good?
The benefits and harms of salted trout should also not be underestimated. Using this product, you can significantly affect the operation of the most important systems in the human body. Omega-3 fatty acids allow you to maintain normal cholesterol levels in the blood, and also affect the state of the circulatory and nervous systems. Surprisingly, in salted trout, you can find 8 amino acids that doctors consider necessary so that a person can lead a normal lifestyle. A huge amount of protein is also necessary to maintain health, and together with fats, vitamins and other useful substances, this product is often indispensable on the tables of athletes.
Among the harmful qualities, it is worth mentioning that such a fish should not be consumed by people with diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract, since fats and salt can damage them.
Conclusion
This article has explained in detail the benefits and harms of trout, which can be found on store shelves. You can easily say that this type of fish is one of the most useful, therefore it should be periodically introduced into the diet. True, you should choose exclusively wild representatives of salmon, and not grown under artificial conditions, because due to chemical additives, most of the beneficial properties simply disappear. But in fact, trout has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, as well as on the brain, improving memory, so it is best to spend money if possible, but at the same time give your body the beneficial substances contained in trout.
Unfortunately, nowadays it is very rare to find really wild varieties of trout in stores, since selling farmed fish is much easier. Therefore, it is best to give preference to other varieties of salmon like pink salmon, which in Russia is still a lot. It costs much less and is not stuffed with various chemicals that can harm your health.