Octopus
The octopus is a marine animal with eight arms and three hearts. It belongs to the group of molluscs or invertebrates, so that it does not have a vertebrae or skeleton, which is characterized by its intelligence among animals, and its ability to change its color when it feels threatened. It may be difficult for many to imagine eating it, but it is common as food in some cultures and peoples, so it is considered a delicacy of food, which is offered only on high-end occasions, as known as the high price.
Octopus consumption is growing around the world, especially in the Mediterranean and East Asia in Japan and Korea, where all parts of the octopus are eaten and used to prepare different dishes or appetizers. An octopus is eaten boiled, grilled on charcoal, or dried with tomato sauce. The sankakis in Korea are famous for eating an octopus so raw that the raw octopus parts are still wriggling on the dish and care must be taken when eating. Suction cups suction of one arm in the throat or mouth.
The nutrients in the octopus
The following table shows the content of 100 g octopus of essential nutrients according to the USDA database:
| Food ingredient | the value |
|---|---|
| water | 80.2 g |
| energy | Calorie |
| Protein | 14.9 g |
| Fats | 1.04 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2.2 g |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g |
| Total sugars | 0 g |
| Calcium | 53 mg |
| Iron | 5.3 mg |
| magnesium | 30 mg |
| Phosphorus | 186 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Sodium | 230 mg |
| Zinc | 1.68 mg |
| Selenium | 44.8 micrograms |
| Vitamin C | 5 mg |
| Thiamine | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.04 mg |
| Niacin | 2.1 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.36 mg |
| Folate | 16 micrograms |
| Vitamin B12 | 20 micrograms |
| Vitamin A | 150 global units, or 45 micrograms |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0 universal unit |
| Vitamin K | 0.1 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg |
| Cholesterol | 48 mg |
Benefits of eating octopus
Provide the body with nutrients
- The octopus of low fat meat, high in protein content, is also low in calories.
- Octopus meat is a good source of iron, providing the body with most of the men’s daily iron needs, and almost a third of its needs for women. According to WHO, 8 mg / day for men and 18 mg / day for women are recommended, so it is useful in iron deficiency anemia.
- Octopus meat is a good source of selenium; it supplies the body with most of its daily needs, which according to the World Health Organization is about 55 micrograms per day. Selenium is an important antioxidant in disease resistance and health maintenance. Selenium is important for the immune system and has a special role in preventing the development of HIV.
- Octopus source of vitamin B12 sources is important for the health of the nervous system, the prevention of anemia associated with the deficiency of this vitamin.
Prevention of heart disease
The prevalence of coronary heart disease in fish and seafood communities has been of interest to scientists, often because seafood contains beneficial fatty acids (omega-3 fatty acids), which have low levels of cholesterol in the blood, but although they contain very little Of omega-3, it has been found that eating octopus regularly may protect against heart disease, and low levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, so studies have been directed to consider the role of proteins in the octopus in lowering cholesterol levels.
Increase milk production
It is believed that eating octopus soup with papaya increases the milk production of the nursing mother. The results of a study in China supported this belief. They studied the effect of the enzymes found in the octopus on milk production in the experimental mice and found an increase in daily milk production And levels of growth hormones in milk, resulting in increased weights of young mice. Thus, octopus is a potential nutrient for milk for lactating mothers.
cancer
In a study of rats, the octopus extract, when given in small, harmless amounts, stimulates the death of cancer cells and improves the work of cancer-affected organs, such as the liver, and thus has a potential anti-tumor effect.
Characteristics of octopus meat
Octopus is characterized by stiffness of its muscles; so it needs a long time when cooked. It was found that adding vinegar before cooking it helps to become soft, and that increasing the time of exposure to heat may help that too.
Care must be taken when keeping the octopus; it is rapidly damaged by the high level of its metabolism, which makes its muscles fast decomposing, which encourages the growth of microbes, and even when kept cool the octopus is rapidly damaged, manufacturers resort to pressure to increase the validity.
Octopus eating precautions
Be aware of some health-related points when eating octopus:
- There is concern that metals, such as cadmium and mercury, may be concentrated in certain octopus species, which are dangerous to human health. In a study in Korea, the minerals are concentrated in the octopus’s internal organs, so removing the octopus’s internal organs before eating can help avoid these risks.
- Octopus contains relatively high levels of cholesterol, which should be minimized to maintain the health of the heart and arteries.
- Some people may be allergic to octopus, and the symptoms vary from person to person, including the appearance of a rash, nasal obstruction, and may be so severe that they are life-threatening.
- Pregnant women can eat octopus as it is a seafood that does not contain high levels of mercury and is safe for her and her children, but of course you should avoid eating it at high risk of containing bacteria.
Ruling on eating an octopus
There is a difference in the opinion of scientists in the rule of eating octopus; some of them based on the verse: (I allow you to catch the sea and food for you and the car) , Thus permitting the eating of every marine animal, and in the words of the Prophet
Peace and blessings of the sea: (It is the purity of its essence, the solution is dead) .
Some of the scholars saw that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade eating predators by saying: (Every one of the seven varieties of food and eat it haraam) , This includes marine animals, so their opinion was that eating a small octopus of halal, while depriving eating a large predator of them.