What is the high-protein, low-calorie food that increases cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular disease?
One of the most appreciated foods in several countries not only for its flavor but also for its high protein content (necessary to maintain healthy muscles) and low-calorie intake, only 72 kcal per 100 grams, is squid or cuttlefish.
However, a new study casts doubt on the health benefits of this shellfish, as its consumption could be harmful to people with high cholesterol levels .
Specifically, researchers have discovered that despite being the preferred food of many, squid triples cholesterol levels. Be careful!
Squid, is super nutritious but triples cholesterol
Squid is one of the foods that has a large amount of essential nutrients. This seafood offers vitamins, such as B12 and C. In addition, it is rich in proteins (18 g) of high biological value and it is also rich in sodium and potassium, but it also offers other minerals, such as magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and iron.
This natural food offers a good amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (0.5 g), but almost the same proportion contains saturated fats (0.4 g).
For this reason, squid is a very nutritious food, but it contains some saturated fats in addition to its high cholesterol content: 100 grams of this seafood contains 185 mg of cholesterol.
In this regard, the food authorities of the United States and the European Union recommend the intake of 300 grams of cholesterol per day. Therefore, we must be rigorous with the quantities so as not to alter the levels of LDL cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins that are not healthy for our health.
Another aspect to keep in mind is that, according to specialists, foods with saturated fats, such as seafood, red meat, sausages, and hamburgers, are those that promote increased cholesterol in the blood.
Well, you already know that cholesterol comes from squid, so you shouldn’t eat more of this seafood. Not necessarily, you just have to find a balance so you can enjoy it in moderation.
One or two servings a week is enough to enjoy the benefits of squid, without it posing a health problem.
However, if your LDL cholesterol levels are high, it is not advisable to eat squid regularly. It is better to replace this seafood with other foods, such as cuttlefish or octopus, which are lower in this type of saturated fat and offer less cholesterol: 112 mg and 48 mg respectively.
How eating squid impacts health
The body needs cholesterol to produce cells, vitamin D, bile acids, certain hormones (sex and thyroid), and other substances. Therefore, in the right amount, it is always good for health, but in high concentrations, it increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
Diet is a key point in the increase of this fatty substance present in the blood and, therefore, is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
Therefore, although squid is one of the seafood preferred by many, it is advisable to consume it in moderation, not only because it has a high cholesterol content, but because it offers saturated fats that do affect the increase of this low-density lipoprotein.
In short, those people with slightly high cholesterol levels or predisposition to heart problems, should consume squid with caution!
