Content
- 1 What kind of fish it looks like and where is the mullet found
- 2 Mullet species
- 3 The chemical composition of mullet and calorie content
- 4 How the mullet differs from the pelengas
- 5 What is useful mullet
- 6 How best to cook mullet
- 7 Mullet harm to the body and contraindications
- 8 The benefits and harms of mullet caviar
- 9 How to choose and store fish correctly
- 10 Conclusion
Useful properties of mullet fish improve the condition of the human body, if there are no contraindications. It is interesting to learn more about the product to understand what effect it will have.
What kind of fish it looks like and where is the mullet found
Mullet is a marine ray-finned fish from the Kefalev family, reaching up to 1 m in length from head to tail. The body is elongated, similar in shape to a torpedo, covered with large silvery-gray scales with black stripes at the top. There are 4 fins, 2 on the back and on the belly.
The fish have no teeth, but the lower lip is very sharp, and it is responsible for chopping food. The marine life predominantly feeds on silt; it can also eat invertebrates and worms.
Maturation of males occurs at 6 years of age, and females are ready to lay eggs by 8 years. Spawning lasts from early summer to autumn, at the end of this period the fish migrate to fresh waters.
Mullet does not impose high requirements on the composition of seawater, therefore, it can be found in the waters around the world in tropical and subtropical climates. Sometimes representatives of the genus live in fresh water, for example, some species live in the lakes of Australia, Madagascar and New Zealand. Fish cannot be found only in the Arctic Ocean, because it is too cold for it.
Mullet species
On the territory of Russia, there are 3 types of sea fish. Between themselves, they differ in size and characteristics of the life cycle.
Black sea mullet
Black Sea mullet is the most famous Russian variety. The sea fish has an elongated body with a flattened back, its scales are gray, lighter on the belly, the nose is sharp, and there are 2 black stripes in the upper body.
The length of the Black Sea variety reaches an average of 40 cm. It spawns in the estuaries of the Black Sea.
Caspian mullet
The fish differs from the Black Sea in larger sizes and breeding characteristics. The Caspian species does not spawn in estuaries, but directly in open sea waters, while eggs remain on the surface of the water along with plankton. A photo of the Caspian mullet shows that the fish looks exactly the same as in other areas. Her body is elongated and straight, silvery-gray, with small fins on the back and belly.
Azov mullet
The smallest variety, not exceeding 30 cm in length. The body of the fish is covered with medium-sized gray scales; black stripes can be seen on the back.As the name implies, the mullet lives and reproduces in the Sea of Azov.
Despite its small size, the fish is highly valued. It is very fatty and beneficial in food use.
The chemical composition of mullet and calorie content
Sea fish is valued not only for its taste, but also for its high benefits. It contains the following substances:
- vitamin A;
- B vitamins, including B4, especially valuable for blood vessels;
- phosphorus;
- fatty acids in large quantities;
- iron, zinc and manganese;
- vitamin C;
- sodium, calcium and potassium;
- proteins and amino acids.
The product is predominantly protein, about 18 g in an untreated carcass. Fats take up only 2.5 g, and there are no carbohydrates at all.
The calorie content of mullet per 100 grams is 125 calories if the fish is fresh. Boiled carcasses are less nutritious and contain 115 calories, stewed - no more than 80 calories.
How the mullet differs from the pelengas
Sometimes the mullet is confused with the pelengas, another fish from the same family that lives in the Black and Azov Seas. There are certainly common features between them, but there are also important differences.
Pelengas on average reaches larger sizes, up to 150 cm from head to tail. The fish's eyes are not blue, like the mullet, but orange or reddish. The scales are much larger, but not as dense.
By the type of feeding, the pelengas belongs to the bottom species of fish and lives at great depths. It also spawns at other times, in May and June.
What is useful mullet
Fatty sea fish can be of great benefit to the human body. With proper heat treatment and moderate use, mullet:
- has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, and also takes care of the health of the eyes and improves vision;
- saturates the body with essential fatty acids, against which the metabolism is accelerated and the work of the digestive tract returns to normal;
- improves the condition of blood vessels, strengthens memory and concentration;
- protects against the development of heart attacks and strokes, since it prevents the development of atherosclerosis and thrombosis;
- is a valuable source of amino acids necessary for building muscle;
- has a positive effect on the nervous system and prevents the development of depression and anxiety.
Like most marine fish, mullet helps to strengthen joints, nails and teeth due to the presence of phosphorus in the composition.
For women
The sea mullet allows women to take care of the beauty and freshness of their skin. The fish contains a lot of fatty acids and a high amount of retinol, so the beneficial effect on the epidermis comes very quickly.
The use of a sea product for women is beneficial for anxiety, constant stress and sleep disturbances. There are many B vitamins in fish carcasses, which are responsible for the functioning of the nervous system. Boiled mullet can be included in the diet, its calorie content is low, and if small dosages are observed, it will not lead to weight gain.
Is it possible to mullet during pregnancy and nursing mother
Fatty acids and trace elements in marine fish make it beneficial for pregnant women. Mullet helps prevent anemia and vitamin deficiency, strengthens the immune system, prevents hair loss and deterioration of the skin in expectant mothers.
But at the same time, such a dangerous element as mercury can be present in fish. In minimal quantities, it is harmless to the woman's body, but it can pose a threat to the child. Therefore, the use of fish during gestation must be agreed with a doctor. It is better not to introduce mullet during breastfeeding into the diet until the baby is 10 months old.
For men
Regular consumption of the sea product allows men to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and lower cholesterol levels. Fatty acids and trace elements in fish prevent the development of heart pathologies. Seafood can help men cope with high blood pressure, and also saturates the body with amino acids needed for healthy muscle growth.
For children
The minerals and fatty acids in mullet can be beneficial for the baby. However, it is possible to introduce fish into the baby's diet no earlier than 10 months, at the same time as meat complementary foods. The initial dosage should be no more than 10 g.
A child's mullet ear should not be given until 3 years old. Hazardous substances remain in the fish broth, in particular, mercury, which can pose a threat to the baby's body even in scanty amounts. In addition, children's sensitive intestines may not be able to cope with the digestion of a fatty product.
When losing weight
Low-calorie mullet can be part of the diet, it will not lead to weight gain. Dill soup with sea fish is very popular for weight loss, its nutritional value is low, and it acts very well on digestion.
Soup is prepared according to the following algorithm:
- first, 800 g of mullet with salt and bay leaf and vegetables - onions and carrots are boiled in different pans;
- after 7 minutes, put the fish on a plate;
- boil 2 eggs separately, lightly fry celery and fresh dill, then mix with a large spoonful of flour;
- greens are poured with water and boiled for another 5 minutes;
- yolks are extracted from the eggs and mixed with 150 ml of sour cream, and the whites are finely chopped.
All components are dipped in a vegetable broth and stirred well. When serving on the table, first put the fish fillet on a plate, and then pour the fish soup and, if desired, season the soup with basil to taste.
How best to cook mullet
Saltwater fish are suitable for a wide variety of processing methods. For example, you can:
- boil or fry;
- smoke or wither;
- prepare canned fish;
- bake in the oven;
- put out or just salt the product.
The most beneficial ways to cook mullet fish are cooking and baking. When using these methods, the maximum amount of valuable substances is retained. At the same time, the fish does not acquire harmful properties during processing. True, it is recommended to drain the broth from under the product, it contains compounds harmful to the body, albeit in minimal quantities.
Mullet harm to the body and contraindications
Useful mullet, when properly processed and consumed according to recipes, rarely harm the body. However, she still has some contraindications. It is necessary to give up sea fish:
- if you are allergic to the product;
- in acute diseases of the stomach and intestines;
- with exacerbation of pancreatitis.
It is best not to eat seafood during pregnancy and lactation. For liver diseases and weakened blood vessels, it is not advised to eat fried mullet. Before use, the sea product must be thoroughly boiled, bacteria and helminths may be present in the carcasses, and prolonged heat treatment allows them to be completely eliminated.
The benefits and harms of mullet caviar
Not only the mullet itself has a beneficial effect on health, but also its caviar.Fish clutches contain a huge amount of vitamins and minerals, in particular, potassium, iodine, iron and calcium. Caviar is useful for lymph flow and immunity, improves blood composition, prevents atherosclerosis and anemia. With regular use of the product, the work of the brain is activated and the vitality rises.
In terms of gastronomic value, caviar even surpasses the beneficial properties of mullet. But there is also a drawback - such seafood is very expensive. Its taste is very pleasant, but for most people the delicacy is not available on an ongoing basis.
As for harm, caviar does not pose a danger to humans with moderate use. In the absence of individual allergies, it will only bring health benefits.
How to choose and store fish correctly
Only fresh sea fish can be tasty and healthy. Therefore, when buying a mullet, you need to pay attention to several nuances:
- Eye condition... If the fish was caught recently and stored according to all the rules, then its eyes will be bright and transparent. Cloudy eye sockets with an almost indistinguishable pupil indicate that the mullet has already begun to deteriorate and will not bring any benefit to the body.
- Scale fit... If the fish is fresh, then it is quite difficult to clean its carcass, you even have to go to tricks and scald the product with boiling water. Easily and without effort, the departing scales, as well as dents and injuries on the body of the mullet speak of the beginning processes of decay.
- Elasticity... It is necessary to press hard on the carcass of the fish, if the mullet is fresh, then the dent will disappear immediately, and if it has already begun to deteriorate, then the fingerprint will remain on the body.
You can keep fresh fish in a home refrigerator without a head and gills for no longer than 2 days, then it will start to deteriorate. To preserve the mullet for a long time, it can be wrapped in foil, placed in a dry container with a lid, and sent to the freezer. In this case, the product can be used even after 2 months. You will need to defrost and cook the whole carcass, chop it into pieces and remove one of the pieces back into the cold will no longer work.
Conclusion
The beneficial properties of mullet fish are quite large, with proper processing, it has a beneficial effect on the health of men and women. But at the same time, it is very important to initially buy a fresh and high-quality product.
