Common carp, or common carp, is a large river fish with dense and juicy meat. Her carcass contains a small number of bones, so it is suitable for various culinary processing - cooking, frying, baking, salting. Carp is not only tasty, but also healthy. More information about its benefits and harms can be found below.

The nutritional value of carp

Carp is a popular fish dish in many countries. He is loved not only for taste, but also for nutritious and beneficial properties. There is no doubt about the benefits of this fish for the human body. It is enough to consider its chemical composition and nutritional value.

Calorie content and energy value

Carp meat does not contain too many calories. The calorie content of 100 grams is 97 kcal. This is 6.3% of the daily consumption rate for humans. Surely, many will be surprised to learn that the described fish lacks carbohydrates. 100 g contains 18.2 g of protein (19.5%) and 2.7 g of fat (4%). 78 g of water (2.8%) are present in the same amount.

Vitamins and other elements

There is a number of valuable elements necessary for human life in carp. It contains vitamins A (in 100 g - 1.1% of the daily intake for humans), B1 (8.7%), B2 (6.7%), C (1.7%), E (3, 3%), PP (31%).

Did you know? In a dangerous situation, the leader of the school can notify other carps with the help of warning sounds - a series of characteristic cod.

Fish is rich in the following important macronutrients:

• potassium - 11.2%;
• calcium - 3.5%;
• magnesium - 6.3%;
• sodium - 4.2%;
• sulfur - 18.2%;
• phosphorus - 27.5%;
• chlorine - 7.2%.

The composition also includes trace elements: iron (3.3%), iodine (33.3%), cobalt (200%), manganese (2.5%), molybdenum (5.7%), fluorine (10.8%), chromium (110% ), zinc (5.8%). In addition to the elements described, carp contains sterols and saturated fatty acids.

Beneficial features

The carp has soft and juicy meat with a sweet taste. It is also appreciated due to the small number of bones. Soups are cooked from it, fried, baked, salted and smoked. The carp is easily digested and absorbed. It is advised to include in the diet of people of different age categories due to various beneficial properties.

General benefits for the body

The chemical composition and nutritional value of fish determine its beneficial effects. It is able to saturate the body with important elements necessary for normal life.

Important! On the fins of the carp there are spikes. Therefore, care must be taken when cleaning it.

• If you regularly eat carp, you can notice positive changes, for example:
• Improving the condition of the skin, nails and hair.
• Normalization of metabolism.
• Activation of cerebral circulation.
• Improving well-being.
• A surge of vigor.

People who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, gastritis or ulcers are advised to use carp. It is able to reduce inflammation in the digestive system, suitable for dietary nutrition. Eating fish regularly is an excellent prevention against the formation of cholesterol plaques and the development of heart and vascular diseases.

For men and women

Indisputable benefit brings carp for female and male health. Vitamins A and E, the amino acids that make up the fish, significantly affect the appearance of people, giving the body, face a healthy look and freshness. Therefore, the carp is sure to be for the fair sex. Fish dishes with regular use help the body restore and regenerate cells faster, slow down the aging process.

Guys and men who often visit the gym can not do without fish. Dishes from it improve the condition of muscle tissue, the musculoskeletal system.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

Women carrying or nursing babies should carefully monitor the quality and composition of the products that fall on their table. It is not recommended or forbidden to consume many dishes during these periods. However, the ban does not apply to carp. In moderate amounts, it can and should be consumed by future and already held mothers. Fish meat will make up for the missing elements in a weakened female body. It is especially important to include it in the menu, since it is a source of iron.

Lactating women need to start eating boiled or steamed fish. First, it is worth using it in small doses, while controlling the condition of the baby. If negative changes in his body are manifested, for example, rashes on the skin, regurgitation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, then use should be stopped for a while.

For children

Children can be offered fish fillets after they have reached one year. They need to be fed in small portions, making sure that there are no manifestations of allergies. Such a product in a regular children's menu will strengthen the child’s body, improve its general condition, give vitality, strengthen eyesight, normalize the functioning of organs involved in digestion. The meat of the carp must be in the plate of the student. After all, it will help improve memory and mental activity.

Did you know? After importation to Australia, carp has spread there so much that today it makes up 80% of all fish biomass. Australians are even discussing the possibility of its destruction using the herpes virus.

For the elderly

It is important for older people to use the described product, as it is able to improve blood circulation, as well as the work of the heart and the state of blood vessels. Its presence in the regular menu helps to overcome minor problems with the instability of blood pressure. All these beneficial effects generally reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

For weight loss

Being a dietary product, carp is suitable for people who follow the figure and their weight. It is suitable for persons leading a sedentary lifestyle. It should be entered into the menu for those who want to reduce their shape and lose extra pounds. Fish can be included in protein and salt diets.

Possible harm and contraindications

The described product can cause harm only in the case of uncontrolled eating and abuse of it, as well as ingestion of a poor-quality product. You need to consume no more than 400 g per day. It is advisable to do this not daily, but 1-2 times a week. It is better to alternate carp with other species of the underwater world.

Fish should only be purchased at trusted stores. It is important to check for freshness before cooking. Contraindications to the use of carp are only individual intolerance and allergy. If after eating seafood a person has allergic reactions, then fish fillet should be eaten with caution.

Fish selection and storage conditions

For cooking, you should choose fresh fish. A quality product can be determined by the following characteristics:

• scales and skin without damage, wet;
• clear eyes;
• elasticity;
• gills of bright red color;
• meat holds well on bones.

You should abandon the carcass, on which there are traces of blood, brown spots, growths. The presence of such defects indicates that the fish was caught in an ecologically unfavorable place. The fact that the carcass is stale is indicated by cloudy eyes. If it was previously frozen, then when pressed on the skin with a finger, a dent will remain. With a fresh product, it will quickly return to shape. You can also determine staleness by gray or green gills and an unpleasant odor.

When buying a frozen product, you should opt for a carcass, the ice on which lies an even layer of about 1 mm. The body of the fish should not be bent.

Store fresh fish at a temperature of + 1 ° C. Before putting it in the refrigerator, you need to wash it, remove the insides and dry it. It is better to store the product in a plastic bag. Its shelf life in an ordinary refrigerator is one day. When stored in a container with ice - 2-3 days. Frozen fish is suitable for consumption for 6 months.

Important! Thawed fish should be prepared immediately. You can’t freeze it again.

Common carp is a valuable freshwater fish with a rich chemical composition and energy value. It should be included in the diet of all people, since it is able to provide a number of useful actions. Before using this product, you need to make sure that there are no contraindications and allergies to it.