When it comes to sea cucumber, the thing that may come into your mind is ‘cucumber’ that you grow in the garden or add to your salads. However, when we talk about sea cucumbers, we are talking about the live organism. They are also known as sea slugs and are found in the ocean. To know more about sea slugs, how does it taste, and the possible benefits of eating sea slugs, keep reading this blog. Let’s get started:
What is a Sea Cucumber?
Sea cucumbers are live-breathing organisms that live in oceans and have healthy leathery skin. There are several varieties of sea cucumbers found in oceans across the world. Sometimes, they are sold fresh, and they will be dried after harvest and need rehydration before you cook them, which means, you can eat sea cucumber as food. They are also sold frozen and need to be defrosted before you use them. They are around 1 to 3 inches thick and less than 6 inches long. The price will vary according to their type.
What does Sea Cucumber Taste like?
They have a land-neutral taste. When you add them to other dishes, then its neutral taste can absorb other items’ flavours you are pairing sea slugs with. The ingredients you use to cook sea cucumber will absorb into it. The special thing about sea slug is that it has a gelatinous texture. Most commonly they are used in Chinese and other Asian cuisines. You don’t need to cook it for a long time.
Can You Eat Raw Sea Cucumber?
Many times, people ask this question about whether they can eat raw sea cucumber. Well, you can eat it raw, fry it or make a pickle of it. No matter it is an Australian sea cucumber or another variety of sea cucumber, it has a bland taste and slippery texture, so they are eaten with other food items so sea slugs can absorb the flavours of other ingredients.
Nutritional Value of Sea Cucumbers
They are packed with nutrients. The following are the nutritional value of 112 grams of Alaskan yane sea cucumber:
- Calories:60
- Protein:14 grams
- B2 (Riboflavin):81% of the DV
- B3 (Niacin): 22% of the DV
- Magnesium:4% of the DV
- Vitamin A:8% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Calcium:3% of the DV
- Fat: less than one gram
They are low in calories and fat, but high in proteins and these factors make them weight-loss-friendly food. You can also find sea cucumber in Australia as they are harvested in Torres Straits, North Queensland, and Western Australia.
What are the Benefits of Sea Cucumber?
The following are some amazing benefits of sea slugs:
- Good for Skin
Being an amazing ingredient, skincare experts are praising sea slug. The absolute amount of functional substance included in sea slug. You may wonder how it can be good for your skin. Well, your skin has approximately 75-80% collagen, but when you grow older, then it degrades. It can affect your beauty because collagen is essential to maintain skin hydration, elasticity, and youthfulness. If you are looking for an answer to a question ‘is sea cucumber high in collagen?’ then its answer is that it is a rich source of collagen and more resistant and makes it less likely to be harmful when added to cosmetics.
- Immunity Booster
A strong immune system is advantageous because it can fight against infections. It helps in killing viruses and bacteria to help bodies function properly. However, we might affect our immune system without realizing it through an unhealthy diet, not taking proper sleep, stress, and hygiene. Sea slugs have high arginine levels that enhance cell immunity by increasing the generation of T-cells.
- Healing Properties
People from Malaysia have been using sea cucumber skin extracts for years to heal wounds, burns, and cuts. In fact, sea slugs have regenerative powers. They have unique bioactive, such as collagen and amino acids that accelerate the recovery process of wounds after surgeries and injuries.
Possible Side Effects of Consuming Sea Cucumber
If you consume sea slugs in excess, then you might have to experience some possible side effects. Certain species contain anticoagulant properties that can make your blood thin. If you are consuming blood-thinning medications, then you should not consume them because it can maximize the risk of increased bleeding. If you are vulnerable to shellfish allergies, then they can increase the risk.
Conclusion
To sum up, sea slug has a chewy texture but some people don’t like it. However, people who live near a coastal area, find a sea slug tasty. You can also use sea cucumber skin extracts to treat or heal cuts or burns. If you buy a dry sea slug, then you need to store it in its original packaging in a dry and cool place. Frozen sea slugs should be placed in the freezer. Despite this, you can keep reading these types of blogs by subscribing to Personal Care N Heal.
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