Health Benefits of Squid( Cuttlefish )

Characteristics of Squid( Cuttlefish )

Squid belong to the cephalopods. The squid has 10 legs or arms. Squid uses these arms to swim, crawl, stick to the stones and catch prey.

Squid is sometimes called the "sea chameleon" because it changes color in different situations. Squid changes color to hide from predators and also as a means of communicating with other fish.

Health Benefits of Cuttlefish( Squid )

Squid has a lot of health benefits. The health benefits of squid and its amazing nutritional values help prevent and treat a lot of illnesses. Because squid is high in vitamins and minerals, it can improve your health. Squid meat is soft and white and it is very delicious. Eating squid is very good for people with low carbohydrate and high protein diets.100 g of squid has 79 calories, 0.7 g fat, 16.2 g protein, and 0.8 g carbohydrate. Squid contains high-saturated unsaturated fatty acids, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and Docosahexaenoic Acid acid (DHA).Squid is a great source of many vitamins.

Squid provides the body with a lot of essential vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, Vitamin B6, folate, and Vitamin B12.Squidis also high in essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium. So when you buy squid you benefit from its numerous health benefits as well as a delicious taste.

Protein in Squid( Cuttlefish )

100 g of different species of squid provides an average of 16.24 g of protein. When you eat protein, your body turns it into amino acids. Your body uses amino acids to repair and maintain cells. Amino acids are also essential for the growth and health of the fetus, children, and adults. You need 21 amino acids to stay healthy. The body can only produce 12 of these amino acids. The other 9 is called essential amino acids which you need to get from food. Squid is a great natural food source of essential amino acids. Squid is very important for the formation of collagen and healing and repairing wounds and injuries faster.

Squid( Cuttlefish ) and Heart Health

Squid are low in fats and there are only unsaturated fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. Studies show that a diet high in these omega-3 fatty acids can protect your heart from heart attacks and heart diseases by lowering triglycerides and blood pressure and also by preventing blood clot formation and artery blockage.

Vitamins in Squid( Cuttlefish )

Squid is a great source of essential vitamins for a healthy body. Squid has riboflavin or B2 vitamin which plays an important role in body metabolism.Vitamin B2 helps the body turn carbohydrates into as well as the processing of fats and amino acids. Vitamin B2 in squid is essential for producing red blood cells which increases blood flow. Riboflavin is also responsible for regulating growth,reproduction, and thyroid activity, preventing diseases, repairing tissue, etc.

Another important nutrient in squid or cuttlefish is vitamin B12. B12 has a lot of health benefits including boosting brain function, reducing depression, melatonin production(which is known as the hormone responsible for good sleep), improving asthma symptoms in children, and increasing sperm count.

Cuttlefish is a great source of vitamin C. As well as being a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C is effective in boosting immunity and preventing cold and flu. As a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C is useful for preventing pre-mature aging and reducing the risk of different types of cancer by fighting free radicals that are responsible for DNA damage and cell mutation. Vitamin C in squid is also useful for treating preeclampsia in pregnant women, Parkinson's disease, increasing sperm count, and autoimmunity disorders.You can provide your body with essential amounts ofvitamin A and vitamin B6 by eating cuttlefish. While vitamin A is important for strong immunity, good eyesight, and cell growth, vitamin B6 or pyridoxine helps prevent heart diseases by preventing homocysteine, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Vitamin B6 also helps prevent the formation of kidney stones, reducing premenstrual syndromes( PMS), etc.

Squid and Organic Minerals

One of the most wonderful health benefits of cuttlefish is that it is a rich source of essential minerals. Cuttlefish is high in selenium which acts as a potent antioxidant and prevents cell damage caused by free radicals. Cuttlefish is also a rich source of iron that is responsible for transferring oxygen to the blood cells. Cuttlefish is very useful for preventing anemia caused by low iron deficiency.

Phosphorus helps with maintaining healthy bones and teeth, increasing energy, improving digestion, regulating hormones, and improving brain function. You can provide your body with high amounts of phosphorus by eating cuttlefish.

Cuttlefish is high in calcium. Calcium strengthens bones and teeth, prevents osteoporosis, reduces PMS, fights cancer, and keeps your heart healthy.

The high amounts of potassium in cuttlefish lowers blood pressure, prevents strokes, heart and kidney disorders, strengthens muscles, reduces anxiety and stress, improves metabolism, keeps water balance and electrolyte function, and keeps the nervous system healthy.

Health Benefits of Squid Ink

Just like octopus, squid releases a dark ink-like substance to catch prey and defend itself against predators. One of the amazing health benefits of squid is that ink which has been used for centuries in alternative medicines such as homeopathy to treat menstrual problems, skin problems, and depression.

As mentioned earlier, squid ink is available in pill or capsule form.

Squid ink is highly useful for treating skin problems such as eczema, skin rashes, redness, hives, yeast, and fungal infections. Studies also show that cuttlefish ink can protect healthy cells of people that undergo chemotherapy or radiation. According to the studies, cuttlefish ink may reduce the damages done to the bone marrow and the spleen. This way, squid ink keeps normal levels of blood cells and hemoglobin.