Benefits Of Salmon

Salmon is the common name used to denote the various species of fish belonging to the family of Salmonidae. Salmon is born in fresh water and it gradually migrates to the ocean. However, it comes back to the fresh water to reproduce. Since times immemorial, people have been using salmon as a tasty and nutritious food. The fish can be consumed fresh as well as in the form of preserved types, like smoked salmon or salted salmon. Today, most of the salmon comes from Alaska, Eastern Canada, The Pacific Northwest, Greenland and Norway. In the below lines, we bring you the diverse health benefits of eating salmon.

Health Benefits Of Eating Salmon

Salmon is rich in Omega-3, which has several health benefits to its credit. Its Omega-3 content, along with the niacin and vitamin 12, is extremely beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Omega-3 and the trace mineral selenium, present in salmon, have defensive action against colon, prostate and breast cancer.
The omega-3 in salmon helps in reducing depression and thus, keeps a person in good mood. Depression and stress are the principal causes that boost the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. As the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines increase, the depressive symptoms accelerate simultaneously.
Omega-3 improves the electrical properties of cells present in heart and is also defensive against the deadly abnormal heart rhythms.
The omega-3 present in salmon prevents obesity and increases the response towards insulin. It is also beneficial in reducing the formation of cytokines, which causes the inflammatory response lined with atherosclerosis.
Omega-3 helps in lowering the level of triglycerides, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases in case of its high accumulation.
The omega-3 present in salmon also comes into limelight for the protection it provides from both early and late age-related muscular degeneration.
Omega-3 is also known to have anti-inflammatory effects. It has the ability to protect the skin against sunburn and most possibly, skin cancer also.
Salmon, like any other fatty fish, is helpful against kidney cancer. It is effective in defending against renal cell carcinoma, which is the most common kidney cancer.
Consumption of salmon works effectively in lowering the risk of multiple myeloma, leukemia and non-hodgkins lymphoma.
Even a small amount of salmon fish is healthy for protection against digestive tract and ovarian cancers. People eating salmon have less chances of getting cancer in pancreas, ovaries, mouth, stomach, colon, rectum, esophagus and pharynx.
Salmon promotes the health of your heart, by accelerating the heart rate variability (HRV).
Salmon prevents and controls high blood pressure. It gives more protection against heart attack. It has a vital role to play in protection against ischemic stroke as well
Eating salmon helps prevent deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis is a condition in which blood clot develops in the deep veins of thighs, pelvis or legs.
Salmon also is protective against pulmonary embolism. Embolism is formed in case of the breakage of a part or a whole of the blood clot from its site of creation, following which it starts moving through the venous system. The condition in which the clot resides in the lung is called pulmonary embolism.
Salmon offers cardiovascular protection for postmenopausal women suffering from diabetes. It also facilitates better functioning of brain cells.
The risk of colorectal cancer decreases to a considerable extent with the intake of salmon.
A person suffering from dry eye syndrome (DES) will find relief by eating salmon.
Salmon proves highly beneficial in destroying the Alzheimer’s plaques.
It also proves highly helpful in protecting against childhood asthma.

Caution

Salmon has purine content, which can cause problems in people sensitive to purines. Excess accumulation of purines can lead to the health conditions like gout and formation of kidney stones. Thus, people with gout or kidney problems should avoid consuming salmon.
Salmon is seen to cause allergic symptoms in some people. The symptoms can be in the form of skin rash, itching, hives, and swelling of the tongue, lips, throat, etc.

Cooking Tips

Always purchase a whole salmon side or filet. Take out its skin and even its bones, if possible, before cooking. Wash and rinse the salmon properly before cooking.
Be sure that the salmon you buy is fresh and has not been stalled for a long duration of time.
You can mix the left-over cod salmon with vegetables to make a healthy salad.

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