What are the words that you associate with when you see the word “sushi”? Perhaps, u might picture words like Japan, health or raw foods and so on. So, the question here is, can sushi be considered as a health food or do we face risks when taking sushi? As there are many different types of sushi made from different types of ingredients, which range from raw fish to vegetables, it is not unusual that each type has different nutritional values.
For example, different types of sushi which is only made up of vegetables or fruits such as cucumber, avocado, umeboshi plum paste and rice are said to promote good health. Besides that, sushi made from sea vegetables contain high amounts of iodine, which is needed for to convertion of food we eat into energy aswell as for the production of hormones in the thyroid. Thus, it is no doubt that sushi does in a way promote good health.
However, recent studies have proven that sushi made from raw fish pose a potential health problem. The Anisakis or more commonly known as the round worm is a parasite which endangers human health through infection and this is known is Anisakiasis. This normally occurs when we eat unprocessed fish. Fortunately, there is a way to prevent being infected and without having to stop eating sushi (with raw fish)! – by freezing the raw fish for a week at a temperature of -4 °F Fahrenheit. It has been told that the symptoms of this disease are similar to gastrointestinal diseases, which inlude, vommiting and having abdominal pains.
Other than those harmful parasites, it also important to know that bacteria such as Salmonella in raw foods can too cause you to experience food poisoning. So, what this tells you is that, if you have eaten sushi and have these symptoms, don’t take them lightly, see a doctor!
But, then again, it really depends on how the sushi you buy gets handled.
Thu, Feb 12, 2009
Diet Tips