While eating a well-balanced diet is one of the best ways to stay healthy, it’s also useful to know some incredible health benefits of sushi. I love sushi and I have a hard time turning down it because it’s so tasty. Sure, not all types of sushi are good options for your health, but if you mix and match ingredients you will create some rolls that contain many essential vitamins and minerals. Here are a few awesome health benefits of sushi.
1. Protects the health of your heart
One of the best health benefits of sushi is that it helps protect your heart. Rolls with a brown rice give you a hit of the whole grains, which keep cholesterol levels controlled. You can also add a bit of avocado (or cucumbers) and eel for omega-3 fatty acids, which keep your heart healthy. Be sure that your choices are not doused in soy sauce or sugary sauces, which counteract these incredible health benefits, regardless of how delicious they are.
2. Contains important trace minerals
While you don’t need huge doses of trace minerals, they play a big role in your overall health. The seaweed in sushi contains large amounts of minerals, such as iodine, magnesium and copper. This is a great reason to eat sushi every now and then.
3. Antioxidants
Sushi rolls made with vegetables contain antioxidants, which counteract free radicals and keep you feeling and looking healthy and young. Moreover, antioxidants help ward off some terrible health issues, including heart disease and cancer.
4. Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient for healthy muscle function and it aids in your muscle recovery after workout. Protein is found in meat, including fish, so your typical sushi roll is going to contain a great amount of it. However, make sure you avoid rolls with shrimp or crunchy fish since they are fried and it is not healthy. Opt for lean fillings like tuna and you will get some protein without a large dose of fat.
5. Gives you an instant energy boost
If you suffer from the terrible mid-afternoon energy slump, put aside the chocolate bar and eat a few sushi rolls instead. Rice contains carbohydrates, which is the main source of fuel for your body. It’s better to choose brown rice, because it’s less refined than white rice and it helps lower the risk of a sugar crash later. Vegetables in the sushi also contain carbohydrates.
6. Helps with digestion
Many different kinds of sushi contain rice vinegar, which is gentle on your digestive system and helps keep your digestive system humming along steadily and your energy level consistent. There is no need to eat a lot of sushi, a couple of sushi rolls will be enough.
7. Low in calories
Sure, this doesn’t apply to all kinds of sushi, but many sushi rolls are low in calories and they are a good addition to your diet if you want to control your current weight or even lose weight. Choose sushi rolls that contain plenty of vegetables, such as cucumber, avocado and carrots and stay away from rolls that contain cream cheese, mayonnaise or other creamy fillings. Since fish is also low in calories, rolls that have tuna, salmon or shrimp are also good options.
There are so many wonderful sushi places out there that you will definitely find the one that will give you many options while benefiting your health. Do you like sushi? What is your favorite type of it? I personally like cucumber and avocado sushi. So delicious!