Goby fish: health benefits and harms

Gobies - a popular fish from the Goby family in cooking. They live in the sea and in fresh water, represented by a wide variety of species. Classifiers included more than 1300 species in this genus, most of which are inhabitants of the deep sea. The rest live in rivers and lakes. Fishermen know that the goby is an extremely gluttonous and ubiquitous fish; it often pecks bait intended for other, larger species. Medicine knows that this product is of great value to the body and can be used in a diet.

What does a goby look like and where does it go?

Gobies are found in almost every pond of Eurasia, they are unpretentious and hardy, have the ability to adapt to even the most unsafe conditions. Due to the rapid reproduction and a high survival rate of fry, species populations grow extremely fast, which is why fish is of great value to the food industry.

Anyone who knows a little about fish can recognize a bull in appearance. He has a large, rounded head, with bulging eyes and a wide mouth. The body of the fish is short, it can reach a maximum of 25–27 cm, there are some species that grow up to 40 cm, but they are extremely rare. These inhabitants of the reservoirs have a wide back, large fins. The skin color can be anything from light gray to black with bright yellow spots, depending on the variety. Gobies feed on fry, mollusks and other aquatic animals, and also enjoy plankton.

Kinds

Officially, gobies are not considered freshwater fish, all varieties are conditionally divided into two subgroups:

• brackish water;
• marine.

The first type easily adapts to any living conditions, it has taken root in rivers and even in bodies of water with stagnant water. The most common representatives of this group are in estuaries and estuaries. Gobies live only in salt water and do not have such adaptive abilities. The most common varieties of value in cooking are the following:

• whip;
• tsutsik;
• messenger;
• a sandbox;
• shirman;
• round timber;
• golovach;
• herbalist.

Gobies may have minor differences in appearance. Their skin is painted in light gray, black, there are varieties with spots, stripes or other natural pattern.

What is the difference between a ratan and a bull

Rotan has little resemblance to representatives of the Bychkova family, although it belongs to the genus Goloveshek. Of the similarities in these varieties, only modest sizes, high prevalence, skin color and large fins. The difference is noticeable if you look at the body - it is flattened, and the muzzle is sharper than that of the gobies. Otherwise, there are no big differences, but it is easy to identify a rotan by these two signs. In addition, he has a completely different taste.

Composition and calorie content

The calorie content of the raw product is 89 kcal per 100 g. The fat in it is not more than 2-3%, depending on the variety. Fish does not contain carbohydrates at all, so it can be used even in the diet of people with diabetes who have a reduced ability to absorb such substances.

Gobies are a valuable food product that can make up for the deficiency of proteins, minerals, vitamins, amino acids and fats in the human body. The composition of this fish includes over 30 different substances that have a beneficial effect on health.

1. Vitamin D is a substance that is necessary for the absorption of calcium.This component provides healthy bones, maintains a normal hormonal background, and prevents depression, apathy and fatigue.
2. B vitamins - ensure the functioning of the nervous system, promote rapid tissue regeneration, support the formation of new brain cells. They are necessary for the health of the digestive system, reproductive function, skin.
3. Vitamins E and A are substances with antioxidant effects that take care of the immune system, skin, support hair growth and strengthen them, provide protection against cancer, participate in cell division.
4. Iron, cobalt, iodine - components that have a beneficial effect on blood formation, support the functioning of the thyroid gland, normalize hormones in the body and ensure healthy skin, hair, and nails.
5. Potassium and sodium - substances that have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, provide a normal water-salt balance, are necessary for the health of the kidneys and good sleep.
6. Magnesium - is necessary to prevent insomnia, with increased irritability, in the postpartum period. He also takes care of the health of the nervous system, is needed for intellectual abilities, memory, stress resistance.
7. Sulfur is a component that promotes the health and beauty of the skin, removes toxins and toxins from the body, and maintains the balance of trace elements in bone tissue.
8. Phosphorus - necessary for teeth, nervous system, immunity, bones and the functioning of internal organs.
9. Fatty acids - increase the body's resistance, help lose weight and cleanse blood vessels, the brain needs it to function properly and helps maintain healthy rates of cell regeneration and metabolism.

Also, the calves contain amino acids, which, when ingested, contribute to the normalization of the work of internal organs and systems. They are necessary for the healing of all components of the musculoskeletal system, protect against vascular diseases, and have a beneficial effect on the liver.

Useful properties of gobies

General benefit

There are many useful properties for the body of this fish, so it must be included in your diet. In some cases, the bulls themselves recommend eating the bulls, if necessary to restore health. The rich composition of this product allows you to use it as a source of valuable vitamins, minerals, protein, fatty acids. There are universal properties in gobies, which are useful for all people, regardless of their age, gender, state of the body.

1. Fish is very beneficial for people with heart disease. Magnesium and fatty acids contained in it, strengthen the heart muscle, normalize the functioning of the vascular system, improve blood circulation to tissues.
2. The components that make up the product help the body process excess cholesterol, which harms the blood vessels and can cause serious complications.
3. The nutrients found in gobies improve brain function. Fatty acids from this fish improve memory, increase intellectual abilities and concentration. In addition, the proteins from this product are involved in the processes of neurogenesis, that is, they are used to create new brain cells.
4. Fatty acids, in particular omega-6 contained in fish, improve the appearance of the skin, strengthen hair, make them silky and shiny.
5. Gobies contain vitamins that have antioxidant effects. They protect against different types of cancer. According to recent studies, omega-3s also prevent cancer cells from growing and developing.
6. For those who are in a state of apathy and depression, consuming this fish can be very beneficial. The active components of the product normalize the synthesis of hormones responsible for vital energy, emotional and mental health.
7. Gobies is a great product for those who suffer from high blood pressure. The product does not contain trans fats, and omega-3 and omega-6 help increase vascular lumen.Magnesium prevents seizures by relieving cramping and lowers cortisol levels in the blood.

As you can see, bulls with regular consumption can significantly improve health and even help to cope with various diagnoses. It is also worth considering the benefits of this product for women with various physiological conditions, men, children.

For women

Deficiency of calcium and sulfur in the female body has an extremely negative effect on reproductive function, so bulls are a useful food product for those who plan to conceive a child. This product protects the body from a deficiency of minerals. Fatty acids, which are part of the fish, provide reliable protection against infectious diseases, support the immune system. Omega-3 also helps prevent breast and cervical cancer when consumed with fat-soluble vitamins (tocopherol and retinol).

For men

It is very useful for men to eat dishes prepared from this fish for three reasons.

1. Proteins are essential for the normal functioning of the reproductive system.
2. Antioxidants protect against inflammatory processes and cancer, which are predisposed to the stronger sex over 40 years old.
3. Fatty acids and mineral compounds support the health of blood vessels and the heart, reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.

According to statistics, men are predisposed to some endocrine diseases associated with a deficiency of iodine and other minerals, therefore, fish consumption is a good prevention for them. In gobies, 18% of proteins are easily absorbed by the body and spent on maintaining healthy muscle tissue. This is an indispensable product for men who lead an active lifestyle, are subjected to great physical exertion daily or are fond of strength training.

During pregnancy

Doctors and many people who are far from this profession love to repeat: "Pregnancy is not a disease." It’s true, but this state, natural for the body, depletes quite a lot. Women in 38-40 weeks can acquire a number of problems and diseases if they do not supply their body with a full range of substances necessary not only for the development of the child, but also for the health of his mother. Gobies is a very valuable product for women who are expecting a baby, because it helps to avoid a shortage of essential components necessary for maintaining health. Here are just a few of the beneficial properties of this fish that are relevant during pregnancy:

1. Strengthening teeth, bones, normal formation of the skeleton of a child due to the content of calcium, vitamin D.
2. Maintaining immunity, protection against infectious diseases that are difficult to treat due to the inability to use traditional pharmaceuticals during this period.
3. Providing the necessary substances for the development of the nervous system of the embryo.
4. Protection against depressive disorder, maintaining a normal hormonal background.
5. Prevention of weight gain due to low calorie content.
6. Protection against anemia in pregnant women and fetal hypoxia.
7. Strengthening the cardiovascular system of the child and the woman herself.

As you can see, the benefits of consuming a bull are many. The main thing is not to use dried and dried fish in the diet due to the risk of developing foodborne toxic infections, as well as because of the large amount of salt that can lead to swelling.

When breastfeeding

Regular use of calves during breastfeeding helps a woman cope with stress and increased fatigue, accelerates the process of postpartum recovery. If a woman regularly ate fish before giving birth, you should not limit the consumption of this product after childbirth. If there are no contraindications, the bulls will only benefit both the mother and her baby.

Gobies is a valuable food product for lactating women, because it contains the components necessary for lactation, and also compensates for the deficiency of minerals and vitamins, which has a positive effect on the health of the mother and on the development of the child. It is extremely rare for children to be allergic to this product, only in this case it is worth excluding it from the diet.

Easily digestible protein is extremely necessary for women during this period, and gobies contain large quantities of proteins. In addition, they contain fats and fatty acids, and they are needed for the growth of the baby, his immunity and the proper development of the nervous system. Also, these components are involved in the regulation of metabolic processes and the synthesis of hormones necessary for the functioning of the body.

Iodine, selenium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur and calcium are components that are usually lacking for nursing mothers, which also affects their children. The healthy development of bones, teeth, and the cardiovascular system depends on these substances. Gobies completely fill the need of the female body for these trace elements, and also, with regular consumption, prevent the deficiency of minerals in the child.

This type of fish is a source of B vitamins. Riboflavin, pyridoxine, cyanocobolamine, pantothenic acid are the substances that mother and child need for blood formation, immunity, healthy skin and hair, and support the nervous system.

For kids

Children can also eat bulls, starting at the age of three. From the very moment of birth, the child grows intensively, and animal processes are needed to ensure these processes. 100 g of bulls contain 18 g of protein, and this almost covers the daily requirement of the preschooler in this component.

In addition, the fish contains fatty acids, which are extremely necessary for the children's body. They produce the following effects:

• stimulate the brain;
• improve memory;
• increase concentration, which is very important for effective learning;
• care about skin health, protect against dermatitis;
• improve the functioning of the digestive and cardiovascular system;
• protect the liver from toxins.

Vitamins of group B, when consumed in combination with the fats contained in the fish, provide reliable protection against infections, help the child's body quickly cope with colds and other diseases. Mineral compounds provide bone growth, harmonious development of the skeleton, protect the child’s nervous system from stress and great emotional stress.

When losing weight

Gobies are a low-calorie, protein-rich fish that contains only 2% fat, which makes it very useful for those who want to cope with being overweight. This product can be included in the diet in large quantities, and this will not adversely affect the results of weight loss. Conversely, gobies contribute to faster fat burning. They have such useful properties that are relevant for those who are losing weight:

1. Fatty acids, which are part of the gobies, activate the lipolysis process.
2. A large amount of protein allows you to lose weight without compromising muscle mass.
3. Vitamins and minerals reduce the harm from diets to hair, nails and skin.

In addition, the fish contains a minimum number of calories, but at the same time gives a long-lasting feeling of satiety and maximum energy. Therefore, for losing weight, such a product is a real find. For example, in one portion (200 g) contains only 180 kcal. But in order to lose weight with the help of bulls, it is important to cook them correctly - stew with vegetables, bake or use for steam cutlets, meatballs, light pastes.

Harm and contraindications

Gobies - the safest fish, it has practically no contraindications. The only reason to refuse completely is hypersensitivity.That is, those who are allergic to fish need to completely exclude it from the diet, as it can negatively affect the health of the digestive system and other organs.

Potential harm may be associated with the use of raw or dried gobies. The fact is that during the drying process, salted fish is covered with a thin, sealed film, and anaerobic bacteria can develop inside, which secrete botulinum toxin (a strong poison that negatively affects the brain and sometimes leads to death). It is harmful to consume salty bulls in large quantities and to those who are diagnosed with hypertension and gout. Cooking technology involves the use of a large amount of salt, and this can lead to a sharp increase in blood pressure and metabolic disorders.

Bulls are not recommended to be abused for those who have thyroid disease. This product can be of great benefit, normalize the functioning of the endocrine system, but it should be used only with the permission of a doctor. The uncontrolled use of fish in such diagnoses can cause a deterioration in health.

How to choose and store

When buying fish, the first thing you need to do is evaluate its appearance - a spoiled product can be calculated even with the naked eye. The second selection criterion is smell. Fresh bulls have a mild, pleasant fishy aroma, but if notes of hydrogen sulfide, rot or chemicals are present, you cannot buy such a product, it can be dangerous for the body. Additional selection tips:

1. It is necessary to pay attention to the eyes of the fish. In fresh gobies, they should in no case be muddy.
2. The peel should not be dry, like the fins.
3. There are no visible lesions on the body of the calves.
4. If you easily press a finger on the body of the fish, it should spring, be solid and elastic, immediately restore its shape. If this is not so and dents remain after touching, you should not buy such products - they are not fresh.
5. If you plan to purchase fish in sealed packaging, you must definitely look at the integrity of the package, pay attention to the production date.

It is important to understand that you can buy fresh gobies only in regions located near water bodies - seas, lakes, rivers. If the fish is sold in a city or village where there are no water arteries, it can go bad during transportation. Still sometimes the seller tries to give out a thawed product as freshly caught.

Storage rules are the same as for any other fish, but you need to know them so that you do not accidentally spoil the product and do not poison. You can store the bulls in the refrigerator, in the freezer. If it is freshly caught fish, the shelf life without heat treatment at a temperature of 2-3 degrees is 48 hours, not more. If you need to freeze it, you can store it at a temperature not exceeding -10 degrees for up to 2 months. Already cooked fish should be eaten for 2-3 days. In extreme cases, you can store stewed gobies for 4–5 days, boiling them for 2-3 days.

If you plan to salting or drying the fish, you also need to know and follow the rules of storage. Salted, completely dry fish can be stored for up to 30 days, no longer. The fats contained in the product will begin to oxidize, an unpleasant odor and a bitter taste will appear. You can’t eat such a fish, it is very harmful to the liver and kidneys, it can provoke severe food poisoning. In order to preserve the taste and benefits of the product for a long time, it is necessary to keep it in a dry, cool place. Dried gobies should be eaten for 2 weeks, stored in the refrigerator.

How to cook a bull tasty: recipes

You can cook bulls in different ways, in any collection of recipes there are a couple of dozen options that will help make this simple fish a real culinary masterpiece. The main thing is to choose and store it correctly so as not to spoil the finished dish. For those who have already decided to diversify their diet with this product, there are several classic recipes that have been tested over the years.

In the oven

Baking fish in the oven is the best solution.Firstly, due to the uniform temperature distribution, it is well baked. Secondly, you do not need to use a large amount of oil for this, which means that the calorie content of the finished dish will not be higher. There are many ways to bake this product in the oven. Below are some popular recipes.

Shish kebabs from gobies with potatoes are prepared as follows - the fish is cleaned, marinated in spices, lemon juice and olive oil, left for 30 minutes in this mixture, preferably in the refrigerator. The potatoes are peeled and cut into slices of any shape, salted, oiled and spread on a baking sheet, which is pre-covered with foil. Wooden skewers are stuck in the pickled fish, placing them vertically in the potato. Sent in the oven for 40 minutes, baked at a temperature of 200 degrees.

The second method is less time-consuming, one might say classic. To clean the bulls, it is advisable to remove the heads, without them the fish will look more appetizing. Separately, prepare the marinade - 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, the same amount of vegetable oil, salt, aromatic herbs or just black pepper. Lubricate the fish with this mixture, put it in a heat-resistant form, you can put it on the onion pillow (cut the onion rings and cover the bottom of the form). Bake at a temperature of 200 degrees for 30-40 minutes until cooked.

In the pan

You can just fry the bulls - this is the easiest way, but due to the use of vegetable oil, the finished dish turns out to be more high-calorie. To prevent carcasses from breaking up during cooking, you need to choose only the freshest fish, preferably one that has not been frozen.

It is very simple to fry - you need to heat the pan with sunflower oil, clean and rinse the fish, add salt and flour in the flour (you can first use the egg whipped with salt), put in a pan and cover with a lid. Turn over after 3-5 minutes to fry the other side. Serve hot to garnishes or as an independent snack, can be decorated with lemon slices, olives or ordinary herbs.

In a slow cooker

Cooking fish in a slow cooker is a good idea, because thanks to this device you can make bones soft and absolutely safe even for children. The easiest cooking recipe is stewing gobies in tomato. To make a tasty and healthy dish, you need the following ingredients:

• 1 kg of fish;
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil;
• 50 g of tomato;
• 1 onion;
• salt, sugar, pepper, spices - to taste.

It is necessary to turn on a mode with a temperature of about 150-170 degrees in the multicooker in order to first fry the onions in a bowl in sunflower oil. When it acquires a golden hue, add tomato, salt, pepper and sugar (to balance the acid of the paste) to the same place, lay the peeled gobies without heads. Add 1 glass of water, close the lid.

It is necessary to choose the optimal regime with a duration of at least 1.5 hours (such a time is necessary so that the fish softens the bones and the flesh becomes tender and tasty). The choice of program depends on the model of the multicooker. In some cases, there is a “Stewing” mode, if it is not there, you can choose a program for vegetables or cereal, where the temperature is also not too high.

For owners of pets that can be fed bulls, a recipe for cooking in a slow cooker can also be useful. For animals, you need to stew fish without tomato (acid adversely affects the health of the digestive system), adding a small amount of salt and vegetable oil. From calves stewed in water with butter, you can cook pastes or grind in a meat grinder and freeze, use instead of food, as an additive to cereals.

In tomato sauce

In every grocery store today you can buy canned bulls stewed in tomato sauce. This product is popular because of its palatability.Tender fish fillet in harmony with sweet and sour gravy and vegetable additives (onions and carrots). But to buy canned food is not always safe. Firstly, they are not very useful because they contain preservatives, and products from long storage lose some of the active substances. Secondly, bulls in tomato are often faked, which does not guarantee their safety. If cooking technology has been violated, canned fish can be dangerous. Therefore, it is better to take fresh bulls and cook on their own.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of fish;
• 1 onion;
• 2 carrots;
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste;
• sugar, salt, ground pepper to taste;
• 1 teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice.

It is necessary to clean the fish, rinse and fry in oil. Separately, add onions and carrots over a small fire, add tomato at the very end, sugar, salt, pepper, you can add bay leaf and allspice. Pour the fried gobies with the sauce obtained, simmer in a casserole for at least 1 hour at a minimum temperature. You can cook fish like this in a slow cooker, in a pressure cooker, then the bones will be completely soft, and they will not need to be selected.

How to cook chicken cutlets

From gobies, delicious diet cutlets are obtained that can be fried, baked, stewed in tomato sauce. This dish is quite useful, because for cooking the product is ground together with seeds, and they are concentrated in calcium, phosphorus and other mineral compounds, which positively affect the health of the whole organism.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of fish;
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons semolina;
• bulb;
• 2 cloves of garlic;
• breadcrumbs;
• salt and pepper.

To begin cooking, you must first defrost the product. Do not fill it with warm water, because the fish will lose its taste. First you need to cut off the head and clean out the insides, and then act on the following algorithm.

1. Take a meat grinder with the smallest mesh and scroll the meat three times so that the bones do not feel at all in it. This task is best handled by an electric appliance or food processor.
2. Add the remaining ingredients to the ground gobies, knead the minced meat and send it to the freezer for 20 minutes to make it easier to work with it.
3. Then stick not too thick cutlets so that they are well fried inside, roll them in breadcrumbs and send to the pan.
4. Fry the product on both sides, and then put it on a napkin to get rid of excess oil.

If you need to stew cutlets after frying, do not dump them in breadcrumbs, this will negatively affect the taste of the sauce. Any side dishes are suitable for cutlets - cereals, potato dishes, pasta. Cutlets can also be made without semolina, take softened crumb of bread, flour. You can do without additives, but in this case the mince will turn out to be quite liquid and you will have to put it with a spoon on a hot pan, but there will be no extra ingredients, the pronounced fish taste and aroma will remain.

Interesting Facts

Gobies - the legendary fish, which is very popular in the resort regions. This is a symbol of summer holidays. Probably, on each sea beach you can buy it in dried and dried form. But there are many facts regarding this product that are worthy of attention.

1. In the famous Ukrainian resort town of Berdyansk, they appreciate this fish so much that they even erected a monument to it, as it helped the population survive in the hungry years.
2. Gobies are one of the most popular fish in the food industry. It is canned not only in tomato, but also in oil, and is also used as an additive in the production of pastes from more expensive varieties.
3. This fish contains trace elements that can restore bone tissue and protect against age-related phenomena.Mineral compounds are present in a format that is very easily absorbed by the body.
4. Some varieties of gobies are listed in the Red Book and have conservation status. Not all species are so numerous.
5. Gobies are a real problem for fishermen. They are the most common cause of the disappearance of worms and maggots from the hook, and they eat the bait so skillfully that an inexperienced angler may not even feel a bite.
6. This fish is not as harmless as it seems at first glance. In fact, bulls are a danger to many other species, as they eat fry.
7. Parasites are extremely rare in this fish, therefore it is as safe as possible for health and is often used for drying and drying.

Gobies is a healthy product that deserves to be part of every person’s diet. If you regularly consume this fish, you can improve your health and not experience a deficiency of minerals and vitamins!

Photo of a goby fish