Salmon is considered to be a type of fish with exceptional nutritional value. This is due to the fact that it has a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. Its high nutritional value and its unique taste make it to be one of the most popular types of fish consumed on a global scale. Salmon is usually mentioned as a favourite among fish lovers. Also, people who are not keen on fish often still consume salmon due to its exceptional taste. Salmon are fish which are large in size. They often travel thousands of miles throughout their life. Usually they return to their home location after two to five years. Once they have returned to this home location where they were born, they spawn and most of the cases die. The life cycles and specific characteristics of salmon are dependent on the type of salmon. For example, the type of salmon which is called king salmon has a life cycle which lasts an average between four to six years. Silver salmon, on the other hand, has a life cycle which usually lasts between three to four years.
Good salmon is usually classified in two different categories. It can either be classified as Pacific salmon, also referred to as Oncorhyncus genus, or Atlantic salmon, also known as Salmo genus. The distinction between the two types of salmon is made based on the ocean where they are found. While Pacific salmon has many different species, Atlantic salmon just has one native species. Pacific salmon includes chinook, also known as king salmon, sockeye or coho, also referred to as silver salmon. Two other types of salmon which can be found in the Pacific category include chum and pink salmon. Another popular type of salmon is Norwegian salmon. This type of salmon is often offered in restaurants and can also be found in supermarkets. This type of fish is actually Atlantic salmon but it is farm-raised in Norway. The flesh of salmon can have different colours. It can range from having a pink colour to a more orange colour. The colour is also dependent on the degree of omega-3 fatty acids. For example, sockeye and chinook are high in omega-3 fatty acids and are fattier compared to other types of salmon. While the distinction between the two types of salmon based on their native habitat was important in the past, it does not play an important role today in categorizing salmon. This is due to the fact that most of the salmon which is consumed today is farmed salmon. This counts for more than 80% of the salmon which is consumed today. For this reason, it is becoming harder and harder to find salmon in its native habitat.
People have been consuming salmon for many years. Since the fish first appeared in the waters of the Earth, it was ever since consumed by humans. Just as with many other fish, various preservation techniques were used to preserve the fish. If salmon would not be consumed fresh, it would either be salted or it would be smoked so that it could be stored for a longer period of time. In many cuisines throughout the world, smoked salmon is still considered a traditional fare. Ever since the eighties, the global consumption of salmon has increased with over 400 percent. In the 1980s, salmon was produced in less than 600,000 metric tons. However, in 2004, the production of salmon was almost 2,5 million metric tons. The main reason for this increase of salmon is due to the production of farmed salmon. As mentioned, more than 80% of the supply of salmon in the world is farmed salmon. The increase of salmon is a worldwide trend and is not limited to Western countries. For example, the farming of salmon has increased in Russia and Japan as well. Especially in Japan, salmon plays an important role in people’s everyday diet. The increased consumption of salmon has been a concern for many researchers. The researchers who study the ecological impact of farmed salmon has stated that this has a big influence on wild salmon populations. Farmed salmon has also made many researchers look at the situation from a health perspective. When farmed salmon is produced in a non-sustainable manner and without taking into consideration organic standards, it can have undesirable effects. For example, various researchers found that farmed salmon often contains undesirable amounts of numerous contaminants. Many researchers have questioned whether the production of sustainable farmed salmon is even possible. This is especially questioned given the historical support the unique habitats have been providing for many years.
Eating salmon on a regular basis can have different health benefits. One of the well-known health benefits of salmon is the fact that it can protect against different types of heart disease. This is mainly due to the ability of the fish to boost the level of omega-3 in the blood. Many people have a high level of omega-6 fatty acids in their blood compared to omega-3. Various studies have confirmed that when the balance between these two types of acids is off, that the risk of heart disease increases. In a study which was conducted among men and women, it was found that consuming two portions of salmon per week increases the level of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood by almost ten percent. It was also found that consuming this amount of salmon per week helps to decrease the omega-6 levels in the blood. Another health benefit of salmon is that it can help you to lose weight. As many other products which are high in protein, salmon helps to regulate the hormones which control your appetite. Thus, when eating salmon you will feel that you are full and not hungry often. Studies have also found that consuming salmon can help to increase your metabolic rate. This is also due to the fact that salmon contains protein. Other foods which are also high in protein have a similar effect on the body. Moreover, salmon is also very low in calories. A portion of salmon only contains 206 calories. Wild salmon can even have fewer calories, and usually only contains 182 calories. A more research health benefit of salmon is that it can help to improve brain function. Fish oil has been found to reduce various risk. For example, it is found that it decreases anxiety, it reduces symptoms of depression and it protects the fetal brain during pregnancy.
As mentioned, salmon is a source of protein. Proteins and amino acids are considered to be essential components which are needed for our enzymes, tissues and cells. The proteins which are found in salmon are easily digestible and they are also easily absorbed into the body. Another benefit is that they do not have any adverse side effects. Also, they do not contain any carcinogenic compounds. These compounds are usually found in different types of meat. Salmon is also a good source of healthy cholesterol. This good cholesterol is important in keeping the body healthy. Other important nutrients which can be found in salmon are iron, selenium, phosphorus and calcium. Salmon also contains various vitamins. Some of these vitamins include vitamin A, B and D. The component selenium is important for keeping hair, nails and tissues healthy. Salmon is considered to be one of the best sources for selenium.
Besides the fact that salmon is full of important nutrients and vitamins, it is also a delicious type of fish. Salmon has a very unique and delicate flavour. The reason why salmon is also liked by many people who are not too keen on fish is because it has less of a “fishy” flavour compared to other fatty fish. Fish such as sardines and mackerel, which are also considered to be fatty fish, often have a strong fishy flavour. Salmon is also incredibly versatile. Not only can it be smoked, but it can also be grilled and baked. Some people also like to steam or sauté the fish. Salmon can also be eaten poached, depending on your personal preference. One of the most common uses of salmon is in sushi. It can be served as sashimi or it can be eaten raw in sushi. If you do not have time to cook salmon, canned salmon might be an option. Not only is it quick, but it is also an inexpensive option. Another benefit of canned salmon is that it provides different health benefits, similar to fresh salmon. If you want to incorporate salmon in your diet, there are different ways to do so. For example, you can make your own salmon salad. Instead of using canned tuna, use canned salmon and combine it with healthy mayo. It can be eaten on a sandwich, or with crackers. Another famous recipe with salmon is combining smoked salmon with cream cheese. Add cream cheese to a grain baguette with slices of cucumber and tomatoes, and you have your lunch ready. If you prefer to bake salmon, add some olive oil and herbs and then put it in the oven. It can be served with potatoes and a salad.
Most supermarkets sell salmon. You can either buy fresh salmon, or you will be able to find smoked salmon. You can also find it frozen, canned or dried. Just as with many other types of fish, it is recommended to buy salmon from a store that has a good reputation for having good quality fish. If you do not like buying fresh salmon at your local supermarket, you might want to look for a fishmonger. They usually have fresh fish and you will be guaranteed that the quality of the fish is good. If you do decide to buy fresh salmon from the supermarket, make sure it is buried in ice. If you are buying steaks of fillets of salmon, these should be found on top of the ice. If you are preparing a fish with a whole fish, you might want to ask the fishmonger to scale the fish for you since this can take up a lot of time. Smelling the fish is usually the best indicator if you want to know whether the fish is fresh. If the fish smells slightly off, it is not recommended to buy since this usually indicates that the fish is old. The time salmon can stay fresh is dependent on how fresh it was when you just purchases the fish. If the salmon was freshly caught, then you will be able to store the fish up to four days. You can extend the shelf life of salmon by freezing it.
