Masago is a Japanese word for the ripened edible fish eggs of capelin, a small fish that lives in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Arctic oceans. Capelin belongs to the smelt family. Being small and silvery green in color, they look like sardines. Caplin is mainly harvested to produce fish oil, fishmeal, and masago. Although masago has become popular worldwide, it is used primarily in Japan in traditional Japanese dishes. Masago is pale yellow with a less crunchy texture than tobiko and has a salty and briny taste.
Being pocket friendly and similar in appearance and taste to tobiko, it is generally used as a replacement in hotels and restaurants. Packed with nutrients, masago health benefits are marvelous. So here are some health benefits of this Japanese superfood.
For Weight loss
Being low in calories (40 calories in one ounce or one tablespoon), masago is densely packed with nutrients. Its low fat (2 grams) and carbohydrate(less than one gram) content per tablespoon makes it ideal for Weight Watchers. It is high in protein (6 grams per ounce). High protein foods increase body metabolism as they draw energy from the body to digest them. This is known as the thermic effect. It also helps in reducing food cravings naturally with satiety.
Eye Health
Masago contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with many degenerative eye disorders like high eye pressure and glaucoma. Omega-3 fatty acid helps to prevent eye dryness which causes itching and burning sensation in the eyes. Omega 3 fatty acids are also crucial in the development of eyes in babies and small children. It can be taken during pregnancy as its mercury content is very low. So regular intake of masago ensures better eye health for everyone in the family.
For Healthy Heart
Omega 3 fatty acids in masago help in keeping the heart healthy. The American Heart Association has recommended including omega-3 fatty acids for a healthy heart. Omega 3 fatty acids help to protect the heart against stroke and reduce plaque formation in arteries and the risk of death because of heart disease. It also lowers the triglyceride level in the blood. As masago is also high in sodium, consuming it with plenty of daily water can make it tricky to get its heart health benefits and manage blood pressure.
For Better Immunity
Masago is high in vitamin B12 and selenium, making it perfect for boosting immunity. While vitamin B12 is crucial for cellular immunity, selenium is an important antioxidant. Selenium reduces oxidative stress by quenching the oxygen-reactive species accumulated in cells and tissues, thus detoxifying them.
Nerve health
Vitamin B12 is mainly required to prevent nerve degeneration and for healthy nerve functioning. It is assessed that about 6% of people over 60 years have vitamin B12 deficiency. It is needed for the myelin sheath formation of nerve fiber, and its deficiency leads to demyelination.
Low vitamin B12 results in impaired sensations from hands and feet, leading to numbness and blunted position and vibration sense from hands and feet, resulting in a condition of ”gloves and stocking” sensation in which a person constantly feels like wearing gloves and stockings in hands and feet. It also plays a vital role in serotonin and dopamine production, thus helping in treating depression and anxiety. One tablespoon of masago contains 47% of the daily requirement of vitamin B12. So with masago supplementation in diet, one can get assured of healthy nerves.
Stronger bones
Our body requires vitamin D to absorb calcium from the blood to make bones healthy and more robust. According to a study, nearly 80% of Americans were deficient in this vitamin in 2009. Fish roe is usually high in vitamin D, with an average of 17,000 international units of vitamin D in one tablespoon. Food-based supplements for vitamin D are preferred as vitamin D being fat-soluble, can reach toxic levels in the blood in synthetic supplementation. Masago, rich in vitamin D, is a natural vitamin D supplement that helps prevent osteoporosis and bone fracture.
Helps in Arthritis
It has been found that omega-3 fatty acids block the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which results in prostaglandin hormones that induce inflammation in our body. In arthritis, the joints become inflamed, stiff, and painful. Masago, with its high Omega 3 fatty acids content, helps reduce arthritis and arthritic symptoms and supports healthy aging.
To conclude, it must be remembered that despite being a superfood with many health benefits, masago should be consumed in moderation as it is high in sodium and can trigger an allergic reaction.
For a Glowing Skin
Fish eggs are, in general, high in vitamin E. We spend a lot on skincare products to get glowing and flawless skin. Consuming masago regularly can ensure glowing skin naturally.
Final thoughts
Amidst its numerous health benefits, the soaring global popularity of Masago has raised concerns about its widespread consumption. The rapid decline in the capelin fish population due to excessive overfishing for Masago has triggered serious ecological alarms. This uncontrolled fishing is causing an unsettling ripple effect throughout the marine ecosystem. It’s high time we address this issue. We need to find a way to balance the undeniable health benefits and delicious taste of Masago with the growing need to preserve the capelin fish population. Striking this equilibrium is not just a choice but a necessity for the health of our oceans and the delicate balance of marine life.
FAQ
Is Masago Vegan?
As a vegan diet excludes animals and animal products, even if the fish is not killed, masago, a fish egg, is of animal origin. Tosago is a sustainable plant-based alternative to masago.
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DISCLAIMER – The tips provided are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice.
