Exploring the Super Health Benefits of Eating Aussie Barra
Barramundi is one of Kayla Itsines favourite recipe ingredients. So why does one of Australia’s top fitness gurus choose to put barramundi on her plate each week? Simple: because barramundi is one of the most flavorsome and healthy proteins available in Australia.
Additionally more people in 2022 than ever before are choosing to embrace Pescetarian diets (the practice of incorporating seafood into an otherwise vegetarian diet), as the health benefits of eating fish regularly become clearer.
We’ve compiled six of the main health benefits to including barramundi in your diet that are supported by recent research.
1. Barramundi is High in Key Nutrients
Barramundi is a wonderful source of high-quality nutrients. These include protein, iodine, vitamins, minerals, zinc, and iron. It is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which play a vital role in our brain and heart health. In order to meet the recommended omega-3 requirements for a healthy heart and brain power, eat Aussie barra at least once or twice a week.
2. May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Many studies show that people who eat fish regularly have a lower risk of death from heart disease and strokes. Barramundi is very beneficial to heart health due to its high levels of omega-3, which is known to lower blood pressure and boost good cholesterol.
3. Contain Nutrients that are Crucial During Development
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for fetal growth and development. Hence pregnant women are encouraged to eat two to three servings of barramundi or similarly omega-3 rich seafood each week. Barramundi can also boast of being low in mercury, therefore is considered a safe seafood choice (of course it will need to be cooked properly as raw seafood is to be avoided while pregnant).
4. Low in Mercury
While mercury is a naturally occurring element, one type of mercury known as methylmercury is the most dangerous as it damages the cardiovascular and nervous systems. All fish contain some methyl-mercury, but most fish in Australian waters have very low mercury levels. Mercury levels differ from one species of fish to the next. This is due to factors such as type of fish, size, location, habitat, diet, and age. Fish that are predatory (eat other fish) are large and at the top of the food chain, and so tend to contain more mercury.
Wild-caught and farm-raised Barramundi contain different mercury levels due to their very different diets. Mercury is primarily a concern in large predatory fish that consume other fish, so large wild-caught barramundi have a higher risk of containing mercury than our farmed barramundi.
National residue surveys undertaken by the Commonwealth Government have consistently shown that Australian farmed barramundi has low levels of mercury (at less than, or equal to, half the allowable limit of 1 mg total mercury per kg of flesh), making it a pretty healthy option (all results were compliant with Australian and EU standards).
5. A good source of Vitamin D
Fish are among the best dietary sources of Vitamin D and barramundi shines when it comes to D containing the highest amounts compared with other fish species. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus which are ultimately needed for strong bones.
6. Brain Health
Barramundi is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which contribute to the overall health of brain tissue. Our brains use Omega-3 to build brain and nerve cells and are essential for our learning and memory functions. Omega-3 provides more oxygen to the brain, this in turn allows for new information to be retained while still storing old information. Who knew barra could give you extra brain power, now that’s special.
On top of these wonderful health benefits, Aussie barra tastes delicious, offering a mild buttery flavour, with just the right texture of firm yet succulent. So what are you waiting for? Download our free recipe book and get cooking with Aussie barra today.
