Blue whiting fish: where it is found and how it looks, whether it is sea or river, the benefits and harms of meat

Lean marine fish, such as small members of the cod family (such as blue whiting), are considered an important part of a nutritious diet and are often included in the diet menu. To better understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with this type of fish, it is worth considering its general characteristics, take into account the advice of nutritionists on its use, as well as useful life hacks for buying and storing.

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The cod family, which includes blue whiting, is one of the largest families of fish. It includes about 300 species. They are widespread and found in all the world's oceans, from shallow coastal waters to deep sea reefs.

The cod subspecies Micromesistius (another name is blue whiting) is in great demand in the fishing industry. Blue whiting ranks fifth in terms of catch among all commercial fish varieties, which makes it a frequent "guest" on the tables of sea fish lovers.

What a fish looks like

Blue whiting is a type of small marine fish that can grow up to 18-38 centimeters in length, and the most “massive” specimens reach a weight of one kilogram. There are two branches of this genus - northern and southern. It should be noted that the southern blue whiting is usually larger than the northern one.

The fish looks intimidating with its big head and protruding eyes, but it's actually harmless. At the same time, silvery scales and three dorsal fins give it an elegant look. In terms of taste, whiting meat is dense and white, making it comparable to hake meat in terms of taste.

Diet

Blue whiting is a completely harmless fish that consumes crustaceans, caviar of other fish such as herring and cod, luminous anchovies. And if food is scarce during the change of seasons, she will gladly switch to cephalopods that are found near her habitat.

This silver fish remains a favorite food source for large marine mammals such as dolphins and killer whales.

Where does she live

Micromesistius is commonly found in cool Atlantic and Pacific waters. This is far from a tropical inhabitant, this type of cod prefers to live in cold areas.

Given the preference for blue whiting, which lives at the deep levels of the ocean, fishermen use bottom trawls to catch this species of cod in large numbers. Fortunately, such a massive catch does not pose a threat of complete extinction, since the world's stocks and breeding grounds are under the supervision of conservationists.

Features of meat

The meat of this marine fish has a number of features that distinguish it from the meat of other aquatic life:

1. Rich in protein. The fillet contains a significant amount of protein, which is considered the main building material for the cells of the human body. At the same time, the protein in Micromesistius meat is of high quality, as it contains all the amino acids necessary for humans.
2. Lean meat. The fillet contains very little fat, which makes it a dietary product. It is an ideal choice for people who care about their he alth.
3. Contains essential trace elements. Blue whiting contains: iodine, phosphorus, calcium and selenium. They are vital for the normal functioning of the body.
4. Tender meat. The fillet has a soft texture without a strong fishy smell, making it palatable and easy to digest.
5. A light-colored meat that can be cooked in all sorts of ways.

Blue whiting is a prime example of a product for a middle class kitchen. Professional chefs appreciate its availability and usefulness as an alternative to cod. The advantage of this fish lies in its versatility; it pairs well with a wide variety of ingredients, and the spices bring out its flavor perfectly.

Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionFish experts recommend pairing Micromesistius with vegetables, herbs, citrus fruits and milk.

It is important to remember that this fish should not be consumed with legumes (reviews regarding this combination are very negative). However, people often have different preferences when it comes to food.

Speaking of cooking, it is important to remember that blue whiting is easy to process. It is easy to cook, bake or fry, it is even allowed to pickle or dry. The flesh of this fish calmly “forgives” culinary mistakes, although there are a lot of bones in the carcass itself.If blue whiting is part of your diet, consider using a steamer. Steamed Micromesistius is a great option for weight watchers.

Keep in mind that the meat of this fish, although dense, will lose its appearance - it will spread if cooked for too long. Keep that in mind and keep track of the time it takes to make it.

Calories

Micromesistius meat is low in calories and considered a valuable source of protein and beneficial trace elements.

For 100 grams of meat of this sea (not river) fish there is approximately:

1. Calories: 80 kcal.
2. Proteins: 15-18g
3. Fat: 1.1g

Blue whiting is not high fat; its fat content is less than 1%. However, it is important to note that the liver of Micromesistius contains a large amount of animal fat. Carcasses are usually very lean and are well absorbed by the body.

Useful and harmful properties

This seafood is useful because it digests quickly, usually within two hours, which is very different from the time it takes for the body to assimilate pork or beef.

This inconspicuous-looking fish has a number of beneficial effects on human he alth, such as:

• strengthening the immune system, making the user immune to fatigue and able to withstand difficult working conditions;
• stimulate cerebral circulation, improve memory and prevent atherosclerosis, and strengthen blood vessels;
• help to remove metabolic by-products from the body and eliminate toxins;
• lower cholesterol;
• help with weight loss thanks to high protein content combined with low calorie content;
• deceleration of aging;
• speed up wound healing;
• better vision;
• increased metabolic rate;
• strengthening the nervous system;
• improve the appearance and texture of the skin/hair;
• cholesterol regulation;
• promoting the production of sex hormones;
• participation in the formation of blood cells;
• protection against disruption of the reproductive organs;
• help for he althy fetal development during pregnancy.

Blue whiting liver is especially beneficial for both sexes due to its omega-3 fatty acids content. These PUFAs help regulate hormones, improve the appearance of skin, hair and nails, reduce the risk of joint problems, and support heart and blood vessel he alth.

100 grams of whiting meat contains the following vitamins, micro and macro elements:

1. Calcium: 20 mg.
2. Magnesium: 22 mg.
3. Potassium: 360 mg.
4. Phosphorus: 270 mg.
5. Iron: 0.5 mg.
6. Sodium: 55 mg.
7. Zinc: 0.5 mg.
8. Vitamin A: 20 mcg.
9. Vitamin E: 0.2 mg.
10. Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 0.02 mg.
11. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 0.06 mg.
12. Vitamin B6: 0.2 mg.
13. Vitamin B12: 1 mcg.
14. Niacin: 1.8 mg.
15. Pantothenic acid: 0.3 mg.
16. Folic acid: 3 mcg.
17. Iodine: 110 mcg.

The only reason not to eat blue whiting dishes is if someone has an individual intolerance to it. People prone to allergic reactions should exercise caution when they decide to include this fish in their diet. It is best to consume no more than 250 grams of fish per day and check regularly for any reactions or side effects.

There is no scientific evidence to support the speculation that eating marine fish leads to cancer. There is no established link between oncology and blue whiting.

However, do not forget about the risks of infection with parasites. Blue whiting is often mentioned in medical reports due to the presence of helminths and other harmful organisms in it. This species is difficult to sort due to its small size, making it difficult to decide which instances are infected and should be removed from implementation.

Carefully inspect the abdomen and entire body of the fish - if you see something that looks doubtful, do not consume the product. High temperatures and freezing fish should theoretically kill any dangerous organisms, but it's still unwise to put your he alth at risk.

Who can eat fish

This cod fish is edible and very tasty. It is allowed to be eaten by both adults and children.It contains a lot of protein, iron, phosphorus, iodine, selenium, calcium, potassium, essential fatty acids and vitamins B12 and D. All these elements are necessary for maintaining human he alth. However, as with any fish, be careful to make sure it is fresh and cooked properly.

Adults

It is recommended for adults to eat blue whiting, it is safe for he alth and even beneficial due to the content of beneficial nutrients in it.

This fish is high in protein and low in fat and is considered a good source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, phosphorus and selenium. Studies have shown blue whiting even has anti-inflammatory properties due to its omega-3 fatty acids content, which help reduce inflammation in the body.

However, blue whiting sometimes contains a certain amount of accumulated mercury, depending on where it is caught.This amount can be harmful to he alth if consumed in large quantities. In general, blue whiting is a he althy and nutritious food if consumed in moderation and not more than once or twice a week.

This fish is very useful for older people. The ability of this fish to treat problems of the musculoskeletal system will come in handy. It helps reduce excess fluid in the joints and is considered an effective way to minimize rheumatic pain. In addition, eating its meat helps older people improve brain function and promote cardiovascular he alth.

Children

Blue whiting is offered as a nutritious product for children. Potassium helps the cardiovascular system, phosphorus boosts cognitive performance, and iodine promotes thyroid function. This is a type of fish with scientifically proven beneficial effects through various studies. Generally accepted recommendations say that blue whiting should be consumed by children from the age of three.

You need to be careful when preparing meals for children from this low-calorie marine fish, as it contains many small bones. It is important to ensure that the child does not swallow the bone.

It's important to be aware of potential seafood allergies and remember that blue whiting is susceptible to parasites. Before purchasing for cooking, it is important for children to check the quality of the product.

Pregnant

Multiple studies have demonstrated the benefits of eating this fish for expectant and nursing mothers. Animal fats in combination with iodine are considered especially useful in this regard. An inexpensive and convenient way to provide a mother and her child with these benefits is to eat blue whiting.

Blue whiting is highly recommended as part of the diet of breastfeeding mothers due to its low calorie content and almost no side effects.Including fish in your daily diet will help develop your baby's immune system (thanks to iodine) and skeletal structure (thanks to calcium).

Obesity

Cooked blue whiting is an ideal source of protein for weight loss diets. This fish is an excellent choice for those who prioritize sports and he althy eating, as it contains very few calories, yet provides high levels of protein, phosphorus and iodine. It is important to consider the unique benefits blue whiting offers when planning to transition to a specific diet to combat obesity.

How to choose and store

Recommendations for choosing fish are simple:

• carefully inspect the carcass, fins and tail to make sure the product is in good condition;
• look carefully at the eyes to make sure they are clear;
• smell the product - if it has a disgusting smell, then it is definitely stale;
• check that the fillet is elastic.

Raw fish must be stored at a temperature of 0 to +2 degrees Celsius, in a refrigerator or in a special chamber for storing seafood. Raw can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, depending on the freshness of the carcass. To increase the shelf life of raw fish, it should be frozen. To do this, the carcass must be cut into portions and packed in cling film or in freezer bags, and then placed in a freezer at a temperature of -18 degrees Celsius. Frozen fish can be stored for up to 6 months.

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