IS EEL GOOD FOR HEALTH?

livewell
March 26, 2024
Eric kent

Introduction

Eating eel can be very beneficial for health as it is a nutrient-rich animal. This species is exclusively found in the waters and is a predator. It has a higher dietary protein/energy ratio. It relies on food sources for ascorbic acid.

Eel has many health benefits such as helping in the formation of red blood cells and prevent you from anemia, muscle building, and weight loss. It also is beneficial for cardiovascular health, the immune system, and eye health.

However, there are some side effects of eating eel as well. It is vital to consume eels in a healthy amount. Let’s discuss the health benefits and the downsides in detail.

What Is Eel?

It is a predatory fish native to Western Europe and it reproduces in the Sargasso Sea. The native habitat of European eels includes a diverse spectrum of water types. Few eel species are found in the rivers, and others are found in the transitional waters.

They need minerals and inorganic elements in addition to proteins and lipids to function correctly. Since Eel is a fish, it is different from livestock. Livestock does not require some lipids, such as sterols for crustaceans and n-3 fatty acids, but fish like eel does.

Like other fishes, eels have the special capacity to absorb soluble minerals from the water. In addition, they have a greater dietary protein/energy ratio because they use less energy than warm-blooded mammals.

Moreover, an eel’s capacity to synthesize ascorbic acid is limited and due to this reason, it obtains vital components from dietary sources. Learn more about its types in detail at https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/3/2257.

Nutritional Facts Of Eel

It is a good source of biologically significant fats, fat-soluble vitamins, and proteins. It plays a key part in human nutrition. It is consumed mostly in Asia, New Zealand, the United States, Europe, and other countries. It is one of the best sources of protein. Eating eel can give you important minerals, liposoluble vitamins, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). All these components are crucial for your health. In addition, it has a great nutritional content and a beautiful texture, making it a desirable addition to any diet.

Several crucial aspects of eel like the amount of fat and protein, and the meat’s texture influence consumers. In terms of nutritional value and taste, the composition of fat is also quite significant.

Studies suggest that eels contain essential health components such as calories, proteins, omega-3, and vitamins. The nutritional profile of the eel is mentioned below:

Components	Amount	% Daily Value
Protein	22 grams	46 %
Fats	15 grams	43 %
Calories	230 kcal	11 %
Carbohydrates	>1 grams	0 %
Fiber	0	0 %
Omega-3	837 mg
Omega-6	250 mg

Minerals

Minerals including zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, calcium, iron, copper, potassium, and selenium are present in eel. These minerals provide many health benefits. For instance, magnesium helps to fight chronic illness. Read our blog health benefits of magnesium to learn more about it.

Zinc is another vital mineral that has various health benefits like improving immune function, especially in elderly people. It can be beneficial for elderly people who lack several micronutrients.

Additionally, Selenium intake may provide health benefits to individuals with high oxidative stress loads, such as those with infectious diseases and those at high risk of cancer.

Vitamins

It is rich in vitamins like vitamins B, A, E, and D. It also contains B1, B5, B3, and B6. All these vitamins are essential and have various health benefits. Eating eel can be beneficial for nerve tissue development, and eye health.

Consuming vitamins A and E is good for eye health. According to some studies, vitamins E, A, and C help protect your eyes. These vitamins can prevent you from getting any eye-related diseases. They also help you improve your reproductive system.

Calories

Calories describe food content and help you in controlling your weight. It is high in calories, providing essential nutrients for daily activities. However, it’s important to balance eel cuisine with the carbohydrate-rich benefits of food.

Arginine

It also contain arginine that helps to inhibit the growth of the cancer cells. Consuming eel can help fight breast cancer. It can also help reduce the risk of heart attacks and blood vessel narrowing, making it a beneficial food for those who prioritize heart health.

Health Benefits Of Eel

Eels have high nutritional value. They contain nutrients that provide you with various health benefits. Some of the top health benefits are:

Lowers blood pressure

Oils like omega-3 and omega-6 play a vital role in lowering blood pressure. Eels have oils like omega-3, omega-6, and fatty acids that have hypotensive properties. These properties stimulate prostaglandins and help in decreasing vasopressor hormone response.

According to studies, omega-3 contributes to lower blood pressure. Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fat that reduces bad cholesterol levels. Omega-3 also helps reduce arterial hypertension or hypercholesterolemia.

Reduces risk of arthritis

Its consumption and rheumatoid arthritis risk are closely associated with each other. It has been studied that consuming eel can decrease the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Learn about food that can help you reduce the risk of arthritis.

A moderate consumption of it is also helpful in decreasing the risk of developing anti-citrullinated protein antibodies. Consumption of eel is indeed beneficial. Nonetheless, it is recommended to take a healthy amount. Taking too much eel can cause other health problems.

Improves eyesight

It contains vitamins that are beneficial for your eye health. These vitamins help you develop your nerve tissues and enhance nerve function. It can help to normalize blood pressure in your brain. With the help of vitamin B, present in eel, the risk of blood clots in the brain can be reduced.

Vitamins B including folic acid and B6 improve your eye health. Vitamins B6 and B12 can prevent you from eye diseases because these vitamins prevent age-related muscular degeneration.

Elderly people are recommended to eat eels because their retina deteriorates with time. Taking eel regularly can repair their retina. Eating a healthy amount of eel can help them with their blurry vision.

Boosts immunity

Omega-3 fatty acids have shown a positive impact on the immune system. It supports your immune response and prevents the risk of developing autoimmune disorders. Studies proved that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and major cardiovascular events.

Recent studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids improve immune function and reduce vascular inflammation linked to coronary heart diseases, especially in individuals exposed to small airborne particulate matter.

Improves cardiovascular health

By eating eel regularly, you can improve your heart health. Cardiovascular disease is a serious disease that causes millions of deaths. However, the risk of heart disease can be reduced by following healthier eating habits.

Eel is again proven to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Eel is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It contains docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid that help to reduce risks of cardiovascular death.

Fish, rich in omega-3 LCPUFAs, has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and stroke. Consuming fish like eel can also provide essential nutrients like protein, vitamin D, vitamin B, calcium, selenium, and L-arginine. Supplementation with L-arginine can also reduce blood pressure and aid in vascular endothelial function.

Anemia prevention

Iron is an essential mineral that an individual needs. It helps in the making of hemoglobin and myoglobin. Iron deficiency can cause many diseases like anemia. When your body has a low red blood cell count then anemia is caused.

Eating eel can be helpful to prevent anemia. It contains iron that helps you to create more red blood cells. Eel also helps you in physical growth and development.

Weight loss

Obesity is one of the common issues in people now. It contributes to other diseases like heart disease. Reducing your weight is the one solution to obesity. Studies indicate that consuming fish like eel can help you to lose weight.

It contains omega-3 fatty acids that boost your metabolism. When you eat an optimum amount of eel, you can go all day without eating anything. Eel has various nutrients that fulfill your body’s needs. It also makes you less hungry, helping you to lose weight.

Visit To learn about more food options that can help you with weight loss read our blog related to healthy weight loss meals.

Are There Any Disadvantages Of Eating Eel?

Eating eel has many health benefits but there are side effects as well. When it is consumed continuously in an unhealthy amount, it can be a problem. Some of the top side effects of consuming too much of them are:

Muscle weakness

It has been studied that consuming too much eel can cause muscle weakness. It contains a significant amount of mercury. High mercury levels in the body can cause headaches and muscle weakness.

Kidney damage

When a high amount of eel is consumed, your kidney can get damaged. It has a high amount of arsenic. It has been studied that a high amount of arsenic exposure can damage your organs like kidneys and bladder. Arsenic can also damage your lungs.

Cancer

Eels are exposed to toxic heavy metals due to the changing environment. Lakes and rivers are polluted with heavy metals and eel are exposed to these metals. It contains high amounts of toxic heavy metals like mercury, chromium, and lead. Consuming too much of them means more exposure to these toxic heavy metals.

It is highly possible that eating them regularly can cause certain types of cancer. When your body is exposed to toxic heavy metals like mercury and chromium more than the required amount, they can cause cancer.

Neurological disorders

Consuming too much eel can also neurological disorders. Mercury compounds, including mercury vapor, methylmercury, and ethylmercury, can cause various toxic effects. Fetal development is particularly affected, with severe neurotoxic effects and lower toxicity thresholds.

Research on mercury has shown that mercury exposure causes tremors and behavioral changes. It can also cause disturbances like shyness, memory loss, irritability, and insomnia. Eating an unhealthy amount of eel can cause neurological and developmental effects as it has a high amount of mercury. It can weaken your cognitive function.

Conclusion

To sum up, everything that has been stated so far is good for health. Eating them can have many health benefits such as improving cardiovascular health, eyesight, and immune system. It can also help reduce the risks of arthritis. However, you should eat eel in a healthy amount. Taking too much can cause health risks. It can weaken your muscles, and organs and even cause cancer. So, it is essential to take an optimal amount.

FAQ

Hello, What Can We Help You Find?

Are you looking for something? We are here to assist you. These are the questions
asked by our customers tell us yours.

Why eel is good for health?

Eel is a nutrient-rich fish with many health benefits. It contains a high amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals that help boost your immune system, improve heart health and eyesight, and reduce the risk of arthritis.

Does eel have omega-3 fatty acids?

Yes, eel contains omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce cholesterol levels and help to prevent plaque in your body. It also helps to reduce hypertension.

How often should I eat eel?

It is suggested to eel in an optimum amount. Many people love eel and they eat it more often. Undoubtedly eel has many benefits but taking too much eel can cause health issues.

What are the side effects of eating eel?

There are a few side effects of eel such as it can cause Primary biliary cholangitis, neurological disorders, and kidney damage. Eel contains few toxic heavy metals like chromium, lead, and mercury and when you are exposed to these toxic heavy metals, it can cause cancer.

Is eel calories free?

No, eel is not calories-free. It contains 180 calories in 100 grams of eel. But, it is low in carbs. Eel has 0 grams of total carbs.

Does eel taste good?

Eel does taste good. It is oily and has various nutrients. Eel is included in many delicious aquatic dishes and many people love eating it. It is warm and has a sweet flavor.