Why sushi is good

Other protein-rich seafood is used to make nigiri — paired pieces of rolled rice topped with wasabi and a variety of toppings. These toppings range from shrimp, eel, scallops, tuna, salmon, to octopus. The fish most commonly found in sushi rolls tuna, mackerel, and salmon are high in omega These fatty acids are believed to improve mental abilities and memory function.

Also, the high concentration of fish oil found in sushi can greatly improve cardiovascular health. Nori, the type of seaweed used to wrap sushi is a great source of minerals and antioxidants such as zinc, iron, and vitamins K and B. The B12 vitamin converts our food into glucose to give us energy.

Seaweed also contains iodine which helps regulate thyroid functions such as metabolism and mood. Read more about the health benefits of seaweed here. Carbs can also add up surprisingly quickly in sushi. Smith says she recently looked at a small packet of sweet chili sauce and realized it contained the equivalent of almost two tablespoons of sugar.

Edamame, or boiled soybeans, is an excellent choice to start a meal. Be aware that both seaweed salad and soup are low in calories but high in sodium. In fact, seaweed salad could contain to 1, milligrams of sodium. While you might be tempted to go all-out and order a sushi boat every time you visit a Japanese restaurant, restraint is best. As with any restaurant visit, what you choose to order makes all the difference. It can be a fun experience. Learn more about vaccine availability.

Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. A strong fishy smell is a big red flag that it may not be fresh enough to eat, she says. Your safest bets are rolls with vegetables or cooked seafood in them, says Maples. And be aware of how long takeout or delivery sushi is left out before you consume it.

Food and Drug Administration. In a story that made headlines in early , a man said he contracted a 5-foot long tapeworm after eating raw salmon nearly every day ; parasites can survive in raw fish when its internal temperature rises too high or when the fish is improperly frozen. Another health concern when it comes to eating sushi is mercury, a metal that occurs naturally in our environment but is heightened by pollution and then absorbed by most seafood and shellfish.

Consuming trace amounts of mercury via seafood is safe for most people, but it can stunt early development, so pregnant women and young children are advised to avoid raw seafood and even certain types of cooked fish that have high mercury levels , like ahi tuna, king mackerel and swordfish, Maples says. There are plenty of ways to make a sushi dinner a healthy one. With Omega-3 fatty acids, eating sushi can reduce blood pressure levels in those suffering from high blood pressure.

Omega-3 fatty acids can also raise good HDL cholesterol, fight body inflammation, prevent artery plaque, and prevent harmful blood clots. Omega-3 fatty acids can also fight autoimmune diseases. One of the symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome is central obesity, which is your belly fat.

Omega-3 may also help your skin health. Just as DHA is a component of your retinas, it also is a part of your skin and its cell membranes. Because of this, Omega-3 can reduce premature aging, control your acne, and even manage the oil production of your skin.

Without enough Omega-3, you produce less melatonin, which makes it harder to fall asleep. This has been blamed for sleep problems in children, while also being blamed for things such as sleep apnea in adults. All three fish are super rich in Omega-3 and they each have wonderfully unique flavors, so you can both enjoy a health body and taste a whole spectrum of sushi flavors.

Sushi is packed with protein. Protein is what helps your muscles rebuild themselves after an intense workout. That same protein can also aid in your hair growth and keratin strength in your nails.

For maximum benefit and cell regeneration, try to eat sushi at least twice a week. From A to Z, sushi, in combination with its condiments, has got it.