Octopus - health benefits and harms

Octopus is a very famous mollusk, which is widely used in traditional cooking of Japan and China, and it is also often prepared for food by residents of the Mediterranean and Hawaiian islands. In our country, this mollusk can be found in frozen, dried and pickled form. But, despite this, it is still considered exotic on the dining table. This article will talk about the benefits and possible harm to the body of octopus meat, as well as how it can be deliciously cooked.

The health benefits of octopus meat

1. Octopus meat is very low in calories and easily digestible. Therefore, it can safely be eaten by people with excess body weight. The protein of this mollusk contains a number of important amino acids, such as glycine, lysine, valine and methionine. They help strengthen the immune and nervous systems of the body, have beneficial effects on liver function, and improve metabolism.
2. Also, octopus meat contains many vitamins of group B, vitamin A, E, PP. They strengthen the cardiovascular system, normalize blood pressure, fight depression, normalize sleep, and have antioxidant and antitumor effects. Regular consumption of this mollusk improves twilight vision, makes skin more elastic, strengthens hair and nails.
3. The carcass of an octopus contains a large amount of omega-3 acids, which successfully lower cholesterol, which is the prevention of hypertension, angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.
4. The mollusk contains such minerals as iodine, iron, cobalt and zinc. All of them improve blood formation, normalize thyroid function, and reduce the likelihood of autoimmune diseases.
5. Phosphorus, calcium and fluoride will help strengthen bones and teeth, which will reduce the risk of tooth decay and osteoporosis.

Possible harm from the octopus

Despite all its benefits, improperly prepared and selected product can harm human health.

1. If the meat is thawed during transportation, then its damage and contamination by pathogenic microorganisms is possible. Therefore, the product should be taken only by a trusted manufacturer company or in a reliable supermarket.
2. Before cooking, you must properly gut the clam and clean it of ink.
3. In octopus, as in any seafood, the accumulation of salts of heavy metals, such as mercury, is possible.
4. An individual allergic reaction is also possible.
5. In connection with all of the above, it is not advisable to eat an octopus for women in position, as well as breast-feeding a baby.
6. With caution, it can be used in case of ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as with cholecystopancreatitis.

Recipes

Octopus with pepper and ricotta

• 200 g of potatoes;
• 8 small tomatoes;
• 6 pieces of red and yellow sweet pepper;
• 600 g octopus;
• 8 cloves of garlic;
• two and a half glasses of ricotta;
• one and a half glasses of fat cream;
• green onions 100 g;
• 50 g of dill and parsley;
• 4 sprigs of thyme;
• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar;
• 9 tbsp teriyaki sauce;
• 4 tbsp soy sauce;
• 1 liter of olive oil;
• paprika, salt and ground black pepper to your taste.

1. Wash peppers thoroughly, coat with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, transfer to a baking sheet covered with foil. Put in the oven for fifteen to twenty minutes at 180 degrees.
2. Meanwhile, peel and cut the potatoes into circles with a thickness of 5 mm, boil them in water until half cooked. This will take three to four minutes after the water boils.
3. Mix cheese, cream and ground pepper with a mixer or whisk. Then put in a confectionery syringe, after grinding the mixture through a sieve.
4. Hot peppers after baking free from the skin, which is now easily removed, and the seeds inside. Pour 200 milliliters of olive oil, garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper and thyme into it. Stir well and marinate.
5. Heat 400 milliliters of oil and beat in a blender with herbs (parsley and dill), then pass the mixture through a sieve.
6. Heat 60 milliliters of oil in a deep frying pan and fry the potato rings sprinkled with salt, pepper and paprika in it. After frying, put in a separate bowl and fry green onions in the same oil.
7. Heat the same amount of oil, add teriyaki and soya sauces there. Then lay out the octopus slices and fry it on both sides for at least two minutes each.
8. Cut the tomatoes into halves, sprinkle with sugar and salt and fry without oil for about one to two minutes in a grill pan.
9. Put potatoes, green onions, peppers, grilled tomatoes and octopus on serving dishes. Squeeze a ricotta cream on them and pour everything around with green oil.

Seafood in garlic and tomato sauce

• four hundred grams of squid;
• two hundred grams of octopus;
• 12 king or tiger prawns;
• three hundred grams of cherry tomatoes;
• six cloves of garlic;
• half a bunch of parsley;
• two branches of rosemary;
• a couple of tablespoons of olive oil;
• salt and ground black pepper to taste.

1. Peel the shrimp, cut the squid into rings, and cut the octopus into cubes of about three centimeters.
2. Cut greens, cut the tomatoes in half.
3. Grind the garlic into thin slices.
4. In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Then put the garlic there, when the aroma appears from it, you should add prepared seafood and fry for one to two minutes. After this time, spread the same greens and tomatoes. Fry everything together for a couple of minutes. A field of which the dish is ready to be served.

These are the simplest and most versatile octopus recipes. You can endlessly experiment with the tastes of this product. Regular consumption of quality octopus meat will give health and beauty at any age.

Video: the benefits and harms of an octopus