Anchovies are a family (Engraulidae) of small, common salt-water forage fish. There are 144 species in 17 genera, found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Anchovies are usually classified as an oily fish.
Contents
Uses
Health benefits of anchovies include healthy heart, lower levels of bad cholesterol and toxin levels. It helps in improving skin health, reducing weight and strengthening teeth. Intake of anchovies also reduces risk of osteoporosis and macular degeneration. The nutrients and vitamins found within anchovies are the main factor behind this wide ranges of benefits people can enjoy by adding them to their weekly diet!
Benefits
Heart Health: Anchovies have been found to contain large amounts of polyunsaturated fats, which can reduce the presence of “bad” cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) that build up in the arteries and increase your chances of artherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Omega-3 fatty acid, found in large quantities in anchovies, actually strips away unhealth cholesterol and inhibits it from binding to the walls of arteries, thereby helping it be eliminated from the body. This study was done regarding the elements found in species found near Turkey, one of the major distributors and cultures that consume anchovies.
Tissue and Cell Repair: Proteins can be found in great numbers in anchovies, and they have long been known to benefit the functioning and efficiency of cell metabolism and connective tissue repair and regrowth. Adding anchovies into your diet can be a major boost to your body’s ability to heal itself.
Skin Health: As mentioned, anchovies are great sources for essential fatty acids, like omega-3 fatty acid, which is also known as “good cholesterol”, as well as for vitamin-E and minerals like selenium. All of these nutrients have been shown to promote healthy skin, which means that adding anchovies as a regular part of your diet can help you maintain a smooth complexion, prevent breakouts, and even reduce the chances of developing the wrinkles associated with premature aging. Vitamin E can also help protect against sunburn, thereby helping to reduce chances of skin cancer.
Bone Health: The vitamins and minerals found in anchovies provide many health benefits, including helping to build strong bones and prevent the risk of osteoporosis and other bone conditions. The calcium and vitamin-A that is found in anchovies positively effect bone growth, which make these tiny fish quite beneficial in fighting bone degradation. Calcium is also integral in the protection of teeth from weakening, keeping them strong and healthy well into old age.
Weight Loss: Anchovies have significant amounts of protein and a low calorie count, which makes them ideal for people trying to lose weight. Increased levels of protein can often produce satiety, which prevents overeating, and it provides you with ample nutrition and health benefits, without pouring in extra calories!
Prevents Toxicity: One of the major dangers of eating too much fish is the high level of mercury and other environmental toxins that can often be found in their bodies. Smaller fish have far fewer toxins, particularly due to their short life span, and therefore add far less toxins to your body than larger fish, while still providing many of the same nutritional benefits!
Eye Health: As stated above, anchovies are rich in vitamin-A, which has been studied intensively as it relates to eye health. High levels of vitamin-A have been linked to reduced appearance of eye degradation and macular degeneration, as well as cataracts, so eat some anchovies and protect your eyes!
Cautions
Anchovies can concentrate domoic acid in their gut which causes amnesic shellfish poisoning in humans when eaten whole. If suspected, medical attention should be sought.
Interactions
None interactions are recorded.
Other names
n/a
References
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchovies_as_food#Uses
OrganicFacts, https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/animal-product/health-benefits-of-anchovies.html