John Myers
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Sushi: Low in calories and super healthy – mostly
Whether hosomaki, futomaki, or nigiri – sushi brings few calories and lots of healthy nutrients to the plate.
- The fish in sushi Fish is a potent source of protein and iodine. It also provides a lot of vitamin D.
- The nori sheets used for sushi bring many nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, iodine, thiamine, and vitamins A, C, and E. The algae leave also contain a lot of protein: around 44 percent of the dry weight of the nori algae is pure protein.
- If you like wasabi with sushi, you get an extra portion of beta-carotene, glucosinolates, and isothiocyanates. These compounds have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Unfortunately, you can only enjoy wasabi in small amounts due to its spiciness.
- If you serve sushi with pickled ginger, you have an additional source of potassium, magnesium, copper, and manganese. These minerals and trace elements protect against bacteria and viruses.
- As perfect as sushi can be due to its numerous healthy ingredients – the raw fish also poses a risk.
Gross – nematodes in sushi
Despite the many benefits, there are also risks associated with eating raw fish.
- Raw fish can contain parasites. More precisely, they are roundworms.
- Most of them are roundworms of the Anisakis species. These can cause a serious infection called anisakiasis. Consequences are severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever.
- While other roundworms are also gross, they don’t make you as sick as this species. They’re also much easier to get rid of.
- If an Anisakis roundworm is still in the stomach, it can be removed relatively easily in the course of a gastroscopy. If it has already migrated into the intestine, the only option left is the surgical removal of the parasite.
- If you prepare your sushi yourself, you can minimize this risk. Freeze the fish for at least four days before processing. The parasites do not survive temperatures below -20 degrees over this period.
- You are on the safe side if you do without the fish. After all, there are numerous ways to prepare sushi vegetarian.
