Benefits And Risks Of Sushi

Sushi is a popular Japanese dish that offers a variety of raw fish wrapped or rolled in rice with vegetables or sauces added. Some sushi rolls consisted of cooked seafood such as (unagi) eel and (ebi)shrimp while others like the California roll don’t contain any seafood at all. Sashimi is a dish consisting of raw fish without the rice. While it is a “ love it or hate it” dish, many that avoid it do so because they feel it is unsafe to eat while others just don’t find the idea of raw fish appealing. So let’s take a look at the health benefits and risks of sushi.

It should be mentioned that the fish used at a reputable sushi establishment is of the highest quality. A reputable sushi restaurant will follow the highest of food safety standards to ensure that their diners do not fall ill from their food. Industrial freezers, proper fish freezing and storage, and the use of sushi-grade seafood are important factors for protecting patrons against foodborne illness. So, rest easy if it’s a trusted establishment with reputable safety standards. While you can’t be sure-if your first impression of any restaurant is that it is not clean-you should avoid eating there.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seafood should be cooked thoroughly to minimize the risk of foodborne illness. Possible health complications you may face if you ingest a parasite found inside the raw fish you’re eating are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, symptoms of food poisoning and tapeworm (roundworm, flatworm, etc.). Parasites, like roundworms, can burrow in your stomach lining and cause further discomfort, pain and inflammation. They only grow to about an inch in length, and within 12 hours of contracting one you would have terrible stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea. They eventually move to the intestine and sets up house. Survival in the human digestive tract is rare as most will die within 24 hours, but resistant ones can last longer and actually burrow into the digestive tract before they are finally overcome by the digestive process. If you experience severe symptoms after eating raw fish, like sushi or sashimi, you should seek medical assistance immediately.

Another risk factor is that due to the levels of mercury found in some seafood, the FDA recommends that certain people should avoid the consumption of raw fish. Those that should avoid it are pregnant women, women who are still nursing, older adults, people with weakened immune systems, anyone with low stomach acidity and those who may suffer an allergic reaction to certain seafood, like shellfish.

Now let’s discuss the benefits aside from the euphoric feeling every sushi lover feels with that first bite. Many of the wide variety of fish used in sushi are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s offer many health benefits like reducing the risk of cancer, an improved cardiovascular system, lower cholesterol levels, lowered risk of heart disease, reduces inflammation associated with asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, lowers your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and it reduces symptoms of ADHD, depression and bipolar disorder. Foods high Omega 3’s are often referred to as brain food because it is so important for brain growth and function as well as having an impact on cognitive and behavioral function.

Another health benefit of sushi is that it is rich in protein. Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. Hair and nails are mostly made of protein. Your body uses protein to build and repair tissues. You also use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. It also helps with weight management, lowers risk of osteoporosis, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep and speeds up wound healing.

Calcium and vitamin D are just two examples of the many vitamins and nutrients found in typical sushi dishes. Calcium helps build strong bones, lowers cancer risk, lowers diabetes risk, controls blood pressure, reduces risk of heart disease and heart attack, prevents kidney stones and it helps transport nutrients across cell membranes. Vitamin D helps us maintain calcium balance in the body, helps us absorb nutrients, regulates blood pressure, reduces stress and tension, relieves body aches and pains by reducing muscle spasms, reduces respiratory infections, helps in differentiation of the cells, aids in insulin secretion, helps fight depression, improves overall skin health by reducing wrinkles, makes skin soft, strong, and smooth, and improves cardiovascular function.

There are plenty of wonderful reasons to try or continue to enjoy sushi as part of your diet and while there is risk-as long as you choose wisely-you should be free to enjoy your meal without worry!