Sea cucumbers are a unique type of seafood that has been consumed for centuries in many parts of the world. It is dried and used in soups and other dishes and is considered a delicacy in Asian countries. Sea cucumber is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fatigue, impotence, constipation, frequent urination, and joint pain. It's also a rich source of chondroitin sulfate, commonly used for arthritis.
Like most seafood, sea cucumber is a good source of protein. A 3.5-ounce serving contains 13 grams of high-quality protein. The body needs protein to build and repair strong muscles, hair, skin, bones and connective tissue, and it also depends on proteins in the diet to support the immune system. Packed with beneficial compounds, sea cucumbers are not only full of proteins, vitamins and minerals, but they also contain several substances that can benefit overall health. Diets rich in these substances are linked to a lower risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Sea cucumbers are also rich in compounds called triterpenic glycosides, which have antifungal, anti-tumor and immunological properties. This can help you eat less and stabilize your blood sugar levels. Protein-rich foods, such as sea cucumbers, may be especially beneficial for people with diabetes who seek to control their blood sugar levels. In addition, protein-rich diets can benefit heart health, help lower blood pressure and improve bone density. To help these microscopic warriors stay armed, consider adding sea cucumber and its anti-inflammatory properties to your diet. People with allergies to shellfish and people taking blood-thinning medications should avoid sea cucumbers. Sea cucumber contains several substances that are thought to influence health, such as antioxidants, triterpenoids (a class of compounds that, according to preliminary studies, slow the growth of cancer) and chondroitin sulfate (a substance found naturally in human cartilage and is sometimes taken as a dietary supplement to treat arthritis).
These slippery sea creatures offer a host of health benefits to those brave enough to try them. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding sea cucumber to your dishes instead of more traditional seafood. Sea cucumbers are also a good source of magnesium, which helps the heart beat and bones grow, while contributing to the production of healthy DNA. With medicinal qualities that improve your body from head to toe, read on to discover what you can get by incorporating sea cucumber into your diet.
Possible Side Effects
While sea cucumbers have been consumed around the world for centuries and are considered relatively safe, there are some potential problems. Typhoid, all of which can cause diseases Another study showed that sea cucumbers can combat Candida albicans, an opportunistic yeast that can cause infections if levels go out of control, especially in immunocompromised people. In a one-week study in 17 elderly nursing home patients with an overgrowth of oral candida, those who consumed a jelly containing sea cucumber extract showed a reduction in candida overgrowth compared to those who did not consume it.How To Prepare Sea Cucumbers
Drain the sea cucumbers, rinse them under running water until they cool to the touch, and then cut them into small pieces.For example, rats with high blood pressure that were fed sea cucumber extract showed significant reductions in blood pressure compared to rats that did not receive the extract.