Farmed or free-living salmon? Which one is he althier? Both seem to benefit our he alth due to the content of omega-3 fatty acids. However, Norwegian doctors claim that farmed salmon, including the most popular Norwegian salmon, are poorer in valuable nutrients, and their meat contains toxins that are harmful to our he alth. Check which species of salmon are better not to eat and which have the best effect on our he alth.

Norwegian doctors suspect that harmful substances in farmed salmon have a negative effect on brain development. The research of scientists also shows that the high concentration of these toxins in the body of a pregnant woman may contribute to the low birth weight of the baby and disrupt its proper development. Therefore, it is not recommended that pregnant women, children and adolescents eat farmed salmon to minimize absorption of environmental poisons.

>>Don't miss:

  • OMEGA DIET, or how to lose weight by eating he althy omega-3 fats
  • Sea fish - which species are edible?
  • Eating FISH while pregnant: should fish and seafood disappear from the mother's diet?

Free-living versus farmed salmon

Free-living salmon eat zooplankton, fish, shrimps and squid. As a result, wild salmon meat contains more he alth-promoting omega-3 fatty acids than omega-6 fatty acids, which cause inflammation. On the other hand, farmed salmon are fed with fodder which causes their meat to contain a higher concentration of omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids. The diet of most Europeans is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which are found in highly processed and fast food. We consume about 5 times more than is necessary for optimal brain function. Therefore, one of the principles of a he althy diet should be the balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Eatingfarmed salmondoes not affect this balance, so they are not as he althy as is commonly believed.

In addition, many farms, especially where Norwegian salmon are farmed, use medications and antibiotics to control outbreaksbacteria and parasites. Farmed salmon are also fed with a meal rich in a specialdye- astaxanthin, which gives the fish its characteristic color. Farmed salmon is also exposed to compounds found in a polluted environment, including dioxins and pesticides.

Which salmon is the he althiest?

Currently, the he althiest fish from the salmon family on the Polish market is wild Alaskan salmon, caught in the waters of the Pacific. It contains the highest quality proteins, vitamins, minerals and the right concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. B altic salmon, the meat of which is yellow in color, is also a good choice, but it should be eaten in moderation due to the mercury content. The he althiest salmon is in fillets because it contains the least amount of fat. On the other hand, smoked salmon can be eaten in large amounts due to the carcinogenic nitrosamine content that precipitates in the meat during processing. Products based on salmon, such as salmon spreads, should also be avoided as they are usually low in meat. It's also better to buy the whole fish, chop it at home and possibly freeze it - salmon sold in small pieces may be stale.

How to recognize a he althy salmon?

  • size: smaller fish are younger, therefore their meat is more tender and less contaminated;
  • skin: light, dull, hard, free of stains and discoloration;
  • eyes: shiny;
  • gills: bright red;
  • meat: it should be elastic and bend under the pressure of a finger

Fish - which is worth eating and avoiding

Category:

What do you eat