Cod, types, nutritional profile, lipid lowering activity, role on cardiac health, role on nervous system, role on muscle, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-carcinogenic activity, hypoglycemic activity and other therapeutic usage
Description : Cod is a widely available variety of cold water fish. It is extremely rich in protein, omega-3
Article Details :
Cod is a widely available variety of cold water fish. It is extremely rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acid as well as phosphorus and offers numerous health benefits.
Types of cod
Though various fishes are found in market that have taken on the name cod but there are four types of true cod available, which include –
- Pacific cod
- Atlantic cod
- Haddock
- Greenland Cod
Nutritional profile
- It contains negligible amount of carbohydrate thus it is considered as low glycemic food
- It is rich in protein and composed of several important amino acids
- It contains healthy fat as well. It contains both saturated and unsaturated fat but it is relatively higher in its unsaturated fatty acid contents. It is especially rich in omega 3 fatty acids
- It contains adequate amount of water too thus it is considered as a perishable food
- It contains several vitamins like Vitamin A, C, E, B3, B6, B9 and B12
- It is also loaded with various important trace elements, which include calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, zinc, selenium, iron, copper, manganese and magnesium
Health benefits
Hypolipidemic activity
- It exerts potent hypolipidemic activity, which helps to decrease total fat percentages of body
- Omega-3 fatty acid content of cod plays vital role in decreasing the concentration of LDL, VLDL and triglyceride in body thus helps in protecting the body from the harmful consequences of hypercholesterolemia
- Niacin or Vitamin B3 component of cod is also responsible for decreasing blood cholesterol concentration
- Whereas it is related with increasing the level of HDL in body, which exhibits numerous positive impacts on health and helps to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, hepatic disorders, renal disorders and obesity
- Its consumption is also very effective for maintaining a healthy lipid profile as it helps to keep a healthy ratio of LDL and HDL in body
Role on cardio vascular health
- It is used as an important therapeutic substance for cardiac health
- It is packed with numerous cardio friendly nutrients that endorse cardiac functionality
- Its protein components help in promoting the health and activity of cardiac muscle
- As mentioned above its omega-3 fatty acid content is responsible for decreasing the level of bad cholesterol or LDL in body thus its consumption is thought to be very effective for inhibiting fat deposition within blood vessels. As a result it helps to prevent the narrowing of blood vessels by averting plaque formation, which significantly lessen the risk of developing atherosclerosis
- It is also associated with enhancing blood circulation
- Its antioxidant activity is responsible for protecting the heart from free radical induced oxidative damages, which ultimately help in decreasing the prevalence of cardio vascular diseases
- Its potassium content is accountable for preventing hypertension
- Its magnesium component helps in maintaining normal heart beat, which helps to prevent arrhythmia
- It is extremely useful for decreasing the prevalence of coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, strokes and heart attacks
Role on nervous system
- Individual who want to obtain a healthy nervous system should include cod in their diet as it contains various imperative nutrients that boost up the activity of both central and peripheral nervous system
- Its omega 3 fatty acid contents especially EPA and DHA components promote the functional development of brain
- Amino acid components of cod also help in the growth and development of brain
- B vitamins especially Vitamin B6 are considered as another imperative nutrients of cod that help in improving brain’s activity
- Its selenium and Vitamin E components are also accountable for improving brain health
- It is also associated with improving memory
- It helps to enhance cognitive ability as well
- It is related with protecting every nerve cells from oxidative damages as a result helps in promoting their activity and aids in the transmission of nerve impulses
- Whereas it helps to delay the progression of neuro-inflammatory events as well, which ultimately reduces the risk of developing neurological disorders and especially helps in improving the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
Role on muscle
- Proteins present in cod help in the growth and development of muscles as they act as building blocks of muscles
- Zinc and selenium components of cod are also related with improving muscular health
- It helps to improve lean muscle mass
- It is also associated with increasing muscular strength, which ultimately helps to make the Read more
