Fish is one of the healthy foods containing many essential nutrients for the body such as protein, vitamin D… Also, fish is a source of omega-3 fatty acids – important fat for the body and the human brain.
Thus, the bass is not an exception. However, many people are worried about their poisoning and wondering “Are Bass good to eat?”. If you are one of them, then you should go on reading to find out!
What is the Bass?
Bass is a common name for many species of fish of the order Perciformes. The name of “Bass” has the origin of the Middle English of “barse”, which means “perch”.
The Bass is usually found in North America, but nowadays, they have become invasive species and thus, can be found all over the world.
There are two main types of Bass, which are:
- Freshwater bass: living in lakes and rivers. They are known to be smaller than the saltwater ones.
- Saltwater bass: living in the ocean. One special thing about this type is that they are similar to the Anabas.
Among that, there is a so-called Black Bass, which is used for sports fishing.
Although Bass is a shared name for different species, they still have something in common. Their color changes at different stages of life. For example:
- They were born with olive-brown for saltwater bass and with yellow-brown for freshwater ones.
- At the adult stage, they turn to green or light yellow on the upper body and silver tail.
They are usually the apex predators in their habitat. With a large mouth stretching to the eyes, their preys, including crabs, small fish, shrimps, squid, barnacles, and razor clams, are hard to get away when being caught.
Why are Bass good to eat?
To answer the given question of “Are Bass good to eat?”, here are some health benefits we would like to introduce to you.
Nutrition
Bass is a white-meat fish with a tender texture and few bones when cooked. They can be baked, boiled, poached, grilled or sautéd.
However, it has a fishy flavor, making it unsuitable for some people. Also, the smell makes it impossible to cook indoor.
It contains approximately 125 kcal per fillet. Thus, they are considered to be low in calories.
Health benefits
Along with that, they are high in proteins, selenium, and Omega-3 – the substances that are used to reduce the risk of heart-related, cancer, diabetes and eye problems.
Heart-related problems
The consumption of bass helps to balance the amount of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the body.
In addition to that, this habit can help us maintain cholesterol balance and prevent the risk of atherosclerosis, obesity as well as coronary heart disease. At the same time, it also reduces stress on the heart and arteries.
Diabetes
Protein is considered an important part of the diet. Fish in general and bass, in particular, are natural sources of protein that provide energy for health. Besides, it helps to lower the risk of diabetes.
Bones
Consuming this kind of fish also helps our body absorb an excellent source of selenium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and other minerals that prevent osteoporosis. In particular, when the body begins to age, these minerals contribute to the prevention of osteoarthritis.
Cancer
These fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids – a good fat necessary for maintaining HDL cholesterol in the body. It is also associated with a reduced chance of cancer.
Eye
It has a high content of Vitamin A. It is an antioxidant that is involved in vision and eye health. It assists in the prevention of damage of free radicals that can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration by promoting vision.
Growth
Protein helps prevent chronic diseases that are necessary for growth and development. Protein obtained from seafood like the bass is much healthier than red meat. At the same time, it aids in the repair of muscles, tissues, and bones.
Do the Bass cause any harm?
Once again, the question of “Are Bass good to eat?” pops up in mind when it comes to the harms.
Mercury is released from industrial facilities into the water and results in fish contamination with mercury, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Mercury absorption in the body is a serious health concern. Especially for pregnant women and children because mercury hinders the normal development of the nervous system.
The bass is reported to be more mercury-contaminated than other fish. Therefore, we should consider carefully when choosing the source of fish.
They are advised not to eat much, only about once a week. Adults should eat only 200 grams, and children should have 100 grams.
Conclusion
Bass is not only an edible type of fish but they really do good for human health and development, including eyes, bones, and heart. However, due to its mercury poisoning, we should take caution with the source of bass.
All in all, we hope that through this article, you can find the answer to the question “Are Bass good to eat?” and knows how much to take in.
Have you ever tried bass? And how did you cook it? Leave a comment below to let us know.