4 Fish Nutritional Contents and Their Health Benefits
Finding foods that are rich in nutrients is actually not difficult, especially if you live in a maritime country like Indonesia. There are at least 873 species of fish that you can find in Indonesian waters, whether in the sea, rivers, or other bodies of water.
As a food source, there are many nutritional contents in fish that are good for health. In fact, because the benefits of fish are quite vital for health, this animal protein is categorized as a superfood, you know. So, what nutrients are contained in fish? Here is the list!
1. Taurine

If compared to various other types of nutrients, taurine may still sound unfamiliar. This is because laypeople usually know it by the name amino acid. However, there are many compounds contained within amino acids, and taurine is one of them.
In general, the function of this fish nutrient is relatively broad. However, its primary function is as a specialized neurotransmitter that plays a role in controlling your emotions, behavior, and brain function. This is because taurine is indeed responsible for regulating the central nervous system.
In addition, this amino acid compound also acts as an electrolyte controller in the body. Your eye health and vision can also be maintained with sufficient taurine intake. Last but not least, this substance is also effective in maintaining and protecting cells in the body.
You need at least 3,000 milligrams of taurine per day. Meanwhile, the types of fish that are the best sources of taurine are tuna and tilapia. Tuna contains 964 milligrams of taurine per 100 grams, while tilapia contains 972 milligrams of taurine per 150 grams (in fillet form).
2. Vitamins & Minerals

Besides taurine, fish are also rich in vitamins and minerals. In fact, fish contain a very complete range of vitamins, ranging from Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin D, to Vitamin K. As for minerals, fish contain calcium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and iron.
The following are the functions of the various types of vitamins and minerals found in fish:
-
Vitamin A: Keeps eyes healthy.
-
Vitamin B Complex: Supports nerve development and maintains brain health.
-
Calcium: Strengthens bones and teeth, and helps dissolve hormones and enzymes.
-
Magnesium: Keeps the heart healthy.
-
Vitamin D: Aids bone growth in children and prevents osteoporosis.
-
Vitamin K: Prevents internal bleeding.
-
Selenium: Protects the body from cell damage.
-
Zinc and Iron: Improves the immune system and stimulates the production of red blood cells.
3. Protein

Just like chicken and beef, fish are also a source of animal protein rich in nutrients. For those who do not know the types of protein in fish, it consists of 20-30% sarcoplasm (albumin).
In addition, there is also 66-77% myofibrillar (actomyosin troponin, actin, myosin) and 3-5% stroma protein (collagen).
The protein content is also very high, averaging 22 grams of protein per 100 grams of fish. This amount is only slightly lower than chicken (27 grams per 100 grams) and beef (26 grams per 100 grams). However, some types of fish indeed have a higher protein content than average.
For example, tuna contains 30.7 grams of protein per 100 grams. There is also anchovy, which contains 28.9 grams of protein per 100 grams. The function of protein in fish is to form enzymes, hormones, and also the immune system.
4. Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Finally, fish also contain very high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, including Omega-3. In fact, fish are one of the richest sources of Omega-3. This compound is good for heart health, can prevent arterial blockage, optimizes brain function, and so on.
Read Also: 6 Foods That Contain Healthy Fats, Easily Found!
Besides consuming them directly from fish, you can also consume Omega-3 from fish oil supplements, such as Sido Muncul Natural Fish Oil. This supplement is a source of healthy fats containing high-quality Omega-3. This is because the fish oil used is derived only from Wild Marine Fish.
These Wild Marine Fish are not chosen randomly, but only fish originating from the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Therefore, the fish are not farmed, so they have richer nutrients. The fish oil has also been purified and has passed mercury-free testing.
Read Also: 6 Benefits of Fish Oil for Adults & Children
This supplement contains 330 mg of Omega-3, with a composition of 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA. Naturally, this content is not far from the nutritional content of fish. So, you are safe to consume it according to the recommended dosage, which is 2 capsules per day for adults and 1 capsule per day for children.