Sushi is full of healthy benefits. Whether it be Nigiri (a mound or a ball) or Norimaki (wrapped in seaweed), sushi can provide you with the nutrients and minerals that you need to improve your overall health.
Easier Vegetable Intake
Sushi servings make it easier for you to meet your vegetable quota for the day. A healthy plate of food would ideally have a side of vegetables, perhaps filling up half the plate. This does not always end up being the case. If you are someone who very much enjoys eating meat, it can be easy to overlook the need for vegetables.
Fortunately, various sushi rolls come with vegetables that have been cut down into easily consumable quantities. With just one bite, you could get an evenly balanced amount of vegetables and meat. Or you could even eat sushi rolls that are mainly comprised of vegetables if that is more to your liking. The California roll is an example of a roll containing pieces of an avocado, which is a good source of healthy fat.
Fish Benefits
When people think of sushi, they might automatically think of fish. Raw or cooked, fish just so happen to have many benefits. Very few foods naturally have vitamin D, and fish is one of them. Salmon and tuna are great choices if you are looking for something high in vitamin D, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. The latter helps the brain function to a proficient capacity and can protect you against strokes and heart disease. Fish can also decrease risks of some autoimmune diseases, depression, and memory or vision loss that you might have when they are elderly.
Nori Nutrients
Norimaki has an edible seaweed wrapping known as nori, which is packed with nutrients despite being very low in calories. Among the vitamins it includes are A, B-6, C, and E. In addition, Nori also contains minerals such as calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and thiamine. The proteins, which make up 44% of the seaweed’s dry weight, could also make your heart healthier by lowering blood pressure. There is not a lot of seaweed on just one sushi roll, so you might want to have more than one to really gain the benefits.
Gari on the Side
Gari is pickled ginger that is often included on the side of sushi roll servings. It is sweet and used as a palate cleanser. As far as its nutritional properties, it contains copper, magnesium, manganese, and potassium. Pickled ginger may also be useful for keeping bacteria and viruses at bay. Research has also suggested that ginger may be able to improve memory, as well as reduce arthritic pain, bad cholesterol levels, menstrual pain, muscle pain, and nausea.
Some consumers might not even give gari a second glance as they mainly focus on the sushi rolls before them, but gari is worth throwing into the mix for good measure.
What’s in Wasabi
A green paste known as wasabi is also often served with sushi. Since it is very spicy, it is generally consumed in tiny amounts. The plant is scarce, so restaurants sometimes have an imitation paste that might not have the same nutritional properties. However, such properties are still worth noting, in case you do come across authentic wasabi. It contains the compounds beta carotene, glucosinolates, and isothiocyanates. Studies have shown that these are good for fighting against bacteria, inflammation, and cancer. But again, be cautious when you do try out wasabi.
RB Sushi
So if you are looking for a nutritious meal, sushi is guaranteed to do the trick. A place like RB Sushi, a five-star all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant, may have what you seek. In addition to sushi, they have soups, salads, rice bowls, and drinks. Their menu lists all of the ingredients of their sushi, so you would know what you are getting. Give them a visit and try out what they have to offer. As you bite into each of the sushi roll pieces, you can relish the knowledge of all the ways that you are improving your overall health.
