Nowadays, fish has become an indispensable delicacy on people's dinner tables. Rich in nutritional value, eating fish frequently offers numerous benefits for women. Besides alleviating menstrual cramps, it can also help prevent breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, many women, while they do eat fish, are not very clear on how to select a good one. Next, I will share a few tips for picking fish.
Braised Lord Bao Fish
4 Major Benefits of Eating Fish for Women
Recent research has found that women are more suitable to eat more fish. Besides fish being low in fat and calories, making it less likely for women to gain weight, eating fish also has some "special" benefits for women.
Eating fish during pregnancy is beneficial for the fetus
Scientists have discovered that pregnant women who eat fish regularly have a much lower chance of premature delivery and low birth weight babies compared to those who rarely or never eat fish. If a pregnant woman eats fish once a week, the probability of premature birth is only 1.9%, whereas for those who never eat fish, it is 7.1%. The reason is that fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can prevent premature birth and effectively increase the baby's birth weight.
Alleviates menstrual cramps in young women
Experts found that when young women with a history of menstrual cramps were given two grams of fish oil daily for three months, their condition improved. Experts believe that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil (including fish itself) do have a relieving effect on menstrual cramps. The best way for these young women to intake more of this fatty acid is to eat fish regularly, preferably deep-sea salmon, tuna, etc.
Eating fish can prevent breast cancer
Studies have shown that the incidence of breast cancer is lower among women in Japan, South Korea, and Iceland, which is related to their frequent consumption of deep-sea fish. Researchers have found that the essential amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids in fish can inhibit the formation of cancer cells and stop their proliferation. Eating fish twice a week can reduce the recurrence rate of breast cancer. Research indicates that fish oil is particularly effective against breast cancer and lymphoma. For cancer prevention, one can often choose to eat sardines, mackerel, yellow croaker, cuttlefish, etc.
Eating fish can prevent cardiovascular diseases
Women who eat more fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can prevent cardiovascular diseases. Experts interviewed 49,000 local women with an average age of 30, tracking them for up to 8 years to assess their eating habits and physical condition. They found that women who rarely or never ate fish had a 90% higher risk of heart disease compared to those who ate fish every week.
Since eating fish has so many benefits for women, it is recommended that all women should buy and eat fish regularly.
Of course, there are also techniques for selecting fish. Only by mastering the following points can you pick a good one.
1. Look at the "water color" of the tank
When buying live fish in a supermarket, check the "water color." It reflects the quality of the water. If it is dark green or blue, it may mean excessive algae, indicating that the water has not been changed or the tank cleaned for a long time, which could affect the fish's health. In tanks with clear, flowing, and frequently changed water, the fish are generally more lively and fresh.
2. Look at the size of the fish
The size of the fish determines its texture and safety. If it's too small, the fish hasn't fully matured, the meat won't be tender and fresh, and there will be more bones. If it's too large, it means the fish is old, the meat is coarse, and it may have accumulated many harmful substances. Therefore, it's best to choose a fish that is about "eight-tenths" of its full size. For example, for carp and Wuchang fish, 1.5 jin (750g) is suitable; for crucian carp, 0.5-1 jin (250-500g); and for grass carp, 4-5 jin (2-2.5kg).
3. Look at the fish's eyes and gills
A fresh fish has full and plump eyes with a clear and transparent cornea, and the gill filaments are distinct and bright red. A slightly less fresh fish has non-plump eyes, a wrinkled and slightly cloudy cornea, sometimes with bloodshot eyes, and the gills are dark, reddish-gray or purplish-gray. A spoiled fish has sunken or shrunken eyes, a wrinkled or ruptured cornea, and the gills are brown or grayish-white.
4. Touch the fish's body
A fresh fish has transparent mucus on its body, with scales that are shiny and adhere closely to the body and are not easily脱落 (except for pomfret, large yellow croaker, and small yellow croaker). A slightly less fresh fish has mostly opaque mucus, dull scales that are easy to fall off, and the mucus is sticky and cloudy. A spoiled fish has a dull body surface with dirty mucus attached, the scales are completely detached from the skin, and it has a foul smell.
5. Press the fish flesh
A fresh live fish has firm and elastic muscles. When pressed, the indentation disappears immediately, there is no strange odor, and the cut surface of the muscle is shiny. A slightly less fresh fish has slightly loose muscles; the indentation disappears after pressing but slowly, there is a slight fishy smell, and the cut surface of the muscle is shiny. A spoiled fish has loose muscles that are easily separated from the bones. The indentation formed by pressing does not recover, or the fingers can pierce the flesh.
Reminder: It should be noted that although fish is good, it should not be consumed excessively. It is recommended to eat it about 3-4 times a week.
Red buns of fish