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Having learned the beneficial properties of octopus, many include it in their diet. This dietary product is a source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and other elements, vitamins needed by the body. The octopus tastes like squid, but is softer. There are many recipes for these cephalopods.
The chemical composition of the octopus
When eating seafood, the body is saturated with proteins, essential fatty acids, a number of vitamins and minerals. Octopus meat can be used in the diet of people who monitor calorie intake. It is considered dietary.
100 g of the product contains:
- 14.9 g protein;
- 1 g fat;
- 2.2 g of carbohydrates;
- 1.6 g of ash substances.
An intake of 100 g of shellfish provides 20% of the daily protein requirement. Said seafood is the source:
- vitamins C, K, E, A, PP, group B;
- minerals (iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, sodium, selenium, copper, manganese, sulfur).
100 g contains 48 mg of cholesterol. You can evaluate the benefits of shellfish, knowing that when they are consumed, essential amino acids enter the body:
- phenylalanine;
- tryptophan;
- threonine;
- methionine;
- lysine;
- leucine;
- isoleucine;
- histidine;
- valine;
- arginine.
The composition contains saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, nonessential amino acids. They are involved in metabolism. The benefits will be even with occasional inclusion of shellfish in the diet.
How is octopus useful?
When eating octopus dishes, the body receives the necessary acids, vitamins, and minerals. Shellfish are an excellent source of protein, so their benefits cannot be overestimated. When eating 100 g of meat, more than 800% of the daily intake of vitamin B12 is supplied to the body. This amount provides 80% of the need for selenium, 50% for iron and copper.
The benefits will be even with occasional use of seafood. But their regular inclusion in the diet prevents the deficiency of substances necessary for the body. Cephalopods are allowed even for diabetics; their use does not affect blood sugar levels.
Omega-3 acids, which are rich in seafood, control the functioning of the immune, reproductive, cardiovascular systems. The benefit lies in the fact that their regular use reduces the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis, hypertension, thrombosis. People who have octopus and other seafood in their diet rarely experience heart and vascular diseases.
Under the influence of substances contained in these products:
- the formation of cholesterol plaques is prevented;
- the elasticity and strength of the vascular walls increases;
- calcium metabolism is regulated;
- the condition of the joints improves;
- the body's resistance to infections increases;
- the process of transferring impulses between neurons is stimulated;
- concentration increases, memory improves.
The benefits of octopus for the body become visible when it is regularly included in the menu.
Why octopus is useful for men
Shellfish meat has a positive effect on overall health. The inclusion of a large amount of B vitamins, potassium, fatty acids helps prevent heart attacks, strokes and other diseases associated with disruption of the heart and blood vessels. It normalizes the state of the nervous system, preventing the negative effects of stress on the body.
The benefit is most noticeable in men suffering from sleep disorders, depressive disorders. The substances contained in seafood have a positive effect on the state of the nervous system.
Due to the entry into the composition of zinc, selenium improves the work of the hormonal system, testosterone begins to be produced more actively. The combination of B vitamins and these minerals enhances potency, prevents the development of erectile dysfunction and ensures the correct functioning of the prostate gland.
This is not all the health benefits of octopus meat. Consuming omega-3 foods on a regular basis is believed to reduce the risk of prostate and bowel cancer.
Why octopus is useful for women
Seafood improves the functioning of many systems and organs. Women need to add them to their diet in the same way as men.
With regular use, octopus meat normalizes the functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular systems. In old age, women who have had seafood in their diet may not be afraid of osteoporosis. The benefit of octopus is that the substances contained in its meat prevent the leaching of calcium from the bones.
Eating seafood triggers the production of prostaglandins in the body. They have an anti-inflammatory effect and prevent collagen breakdown. The benefits are visible to the naked eye. The skin of lovers of octopuses will be smooth, without blackheads, acne.
According to research, the addition of foods rich in omega-3 acids to the diet reduces the likelihood of developing breast and ovarian cancer by 35%.
Octopus harm
After learning about the benefits of marine meat, many begin to include them in their diet. But before buying octopuses, you should make sure that they are harmless. The greatest danger is posed by mercury compounds that can be found in meat. They cause poisoning. An overdose of mercury can even be fatal.
You need to monitor the freshness of seafood. They deteriorate quickly when not frozen. There will be no benefit from consuming such octopuses. Even after heat treatment, they can provoke poisoning.
How many calories are in octopus
Octopus meat is considered a dietary product. 100 g contains 72 kcal. Due to its low calorie content, it can be included in the diet by people who are monitoring weight or trying to lose weight. The benefits for them are invaluable. Shellfish provide the body with a large amount of protein and have a high nutritional value.
Contraindications to octopus
Before including seafood in your daily diet, you must make sure that there are no contraindications. There will be no benefit from the octopus tentacles if a person who is forbidden the meat of sea inhabitants begins to use them.
Contraindications include:
- individual intolerance;
- allergy to seafood;
- ulcerative lesion of the digestive tract;
- diseases of the stomach, intestines, pancreas.
With these pathologies, it is better to abandon the meat of the octopus and other marine inhabitants. Their use can provoke a deterioration in the condition, an aggravation of allergic reactions, in this case there will be no benefit.
Rules for the use of octopus
It is recommended to include octopus meat on the menu only after heat treatment. In its raw form, cephalopods can be consumed when they are just caught. Otherwise, there is a high risk of poisoning.
Nutritionists recommend including octopuses in the menu 2-3 times a week for 200-300 g. This amount is enough to get all the necessary substances and achieve maximum benefits.
Before cooking, the shellfish meat must be thawed at room temperature and washed from mucus, cut the carcass, removing the eyes, ink sac and beak. From large individuals, the skin should be scraped off with a knife, from small octopuses it is removed after heat treatment.
Boil, simmer or fry these shellfish for about 7-10 minutes. Longer cooking times will make the meat tough, although the benefits will be just as good.
Octopus application
Small and large shellfish can be pickled, boiled, baked, stewed, fried. They go well with vegetables, rice, and other seafood. You can improve the taste of the finished dish if you first slightly beat off the meat, and add soy sauce, olive oil or wine vinegar during cooking.
Octopus can be served on its own or used as an ingredient in a soup or seafood salad. This cooking method is popular:
- a washed and peeled carcass weighing 500 g is cut into pieces;
- each part is doused in flour;
- spread the slices in a pan with hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes;
- add 80 g of butter to the processed meat, 4 tbsp. l. cream, 3 minced cloves of garlic, salt, spices and 100 ml of water;
- the products are mixed and left to simmer under the lid for 5 minutes.
Serve the octopus made according to this recipe with rice or vegetables.
Conclusion
The beneficial properties of the octopus make it possible to use this mollusc when composing a diet for people who monitor their weight, suffer from heart disease, blood vessels, and diabetes. This dietary product has a positive effect on health. Regular consumption of it can reduce the likelihood of developing many diseases.
