Despite what the name suggests,
sea cucumbers are not vegetables. They're tube-shaped sea creature that has
been an essential part of Chinese cuisine for centuries. It has been referenced
since the Ming dynasty. Today, this little animal is seeing a renaissance in
restaurants worldwide.
Sea cucumbers are not only historically significant, but they are
also beneficial to one's health. They're a great alternative to red meat, so
they're high in protein. Those brave enough to try these slippery sea creatures
will get a range of health benefits.
Health Benefits
Sea cucumbers are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants,
all beneficial to one's health. For example, they contain riboflavin, a
necessary vitamin for energy production and metabolism in the body. Riboflavin
also helps process other nutrients and medications in the body, making it a
critical component of your diet.
Sea cucumbers are also high in magnesium, which helps grow your
heart and bones while also contributing to the production of healthy DNA.
In addition, sea cucumbers have a range of health benefits,
including:
Heart Health
Eating sea cucumber regularly may help you improve aspects of your
heart health, such as cholesterol levels. Sea cucumber has also been shown in
studies to help lower blood pressure. It's important to remember that these
studies were done on rodents, and the results may differ in humans.
Furthermore, because sea cucumbers are low in fat, they are a good source of
lean protein, which the American Heart Association advises heart health.
Liver Health
Your liver is necessary for keeping the health of your blood and
digestive system. According to early studies, consuming sea cucumber may help
reduce your risk of liver damage. In rats, sea cucumber was proven to lower
oxidative stress in research. In humans, decreasing oxidative stress reduces
the risk of health problems such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Reduced Risk of Cancer
Antioxidants and polyphenols (micronutrients found in plant-based
foods) found in sea cucumbers have been related to reducing inflammation in the
body. This has been linked to a lower risk of developing chronic diseases.
Inflammation is connected to a higher risk of cancer, and therefore, consuming
dietary polyphenols can help reduce your risk of cancer.
Nutrition
Sea cucumber is a good source of niacin, a vital nutrient that the
body can't produce on its own. Consuming enough niacin helps your body process
food into energy. It keeps your skin healthy while preventing conditions like
pellagra — a disease characterized by diarrhea, dermatitis, and dementia that
can be fatal if left untreated.
Additionally, sea cucumbers are an excellent source of:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Antioxidants
- Magnesium
- Calcium
Nutrients per Serving
A 100 gram serving of sea cucumber contains:
- Calories: 56
- Protein: 13 grams
- Fat: Less than 1 gram
- Carbohydrates: Less than 1 gram
- Fiber: Less than 1 gram
- Sugar: Less than 1 gram
Things to Watch Out For
Blood-thinning properties are found in many species. When
consumed, different kinds of sea cucumber may affect the body. While this will
not affect most people, anyone on Warfarin or other blood-thinning medications
should avoid eating large amounts of sea cucumber.
Another essential thing to watch for is shellfish allergies. While
sea cucumbers are not shellfish, they are often processed alongside shellfish
and could trigger a similar allergic reaction.
How to Eat Sea Cucumber
Sea cucumbers are available all year in specialty supermarkets
such as Asian supermarkets. Sea cucumbers are most commonly found around the
coast, but dried sea cucumbers can be found all over the country.
The best way to prepare sea cucumbers is to soak them in water
before cooking them. You should soak the sea cucumber for at least two days,
changing the water at least once a day. Once the sea cucumber has softened in
the water, season it, then add oil.
Boil the sea cucumber for half an hour after it has soaked. After
that, clean it well, being sure to remove all of its internal organs. Once
these steps are complete, slice the sea cucumber and pair it with other,
strongly-flavored foods such as winter melon, shiitake mushrooms, and Chinese
cabbage.
Here are some ways you can include sea cucumber in your diet:
- Braised sea cucumber
- Add sea cucumber to stir fry.
- Make sweet and sour sea cucumber.
- Try sea cucumber sorbet.
- Make sea cucumber congee (a porridge made from rice)