A lot of people wonder whether they should remove the skin from salmon before cooking and eating. Is salmon skin safe to eat? Does it taste good? Is salmon healthier when its cooked with skin on? Well, we love eating salmon with the skin on! So today we’re sharing why you should keep the skin on your salmon, how to make sure it’s safe to eat, and all the magical salmon skin health benefits you can enjoy.
Before we get into the nutritional benefits of eating salmon skin, let’s talk safety. Salmon skin is safe to eat. However, since much of the salmon supply in the market comes from contaminated sources both farmed or caught in the wild, it is important that you pay attention to where you buy your salmon. Wild-caught salmon in the Atlantic Ocean may contain chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls that can cause cancer. Farmed salmon may contain a high level of these chemicals as well if you’re not careful.
So, purchasing high-quality fish from safe sources is essential when you plan on eating the skin. Obviously we recommend Oshēn Salmon. The Entertainer box provides the greatest skin-on nutritional benefits to help you look and feel your best.
Salmon contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. And leaving the skin on provides additional nutrients for our body. Plus, it’s super tasty. Therefore salmon skin may be a great addition to your diet provided that it comes from a high-quality salmon producer.
Amazing Salmon Skin Health Benefits According to Science
Salmon Skin Has A High Concentration of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Salmon of all types generally live in cold, clean water. The extremely cold ocean temperature allows salmon skin to develop a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids to keep the salmon warm in the ocean. Omega-3’s are healthy fats with so many health benefits. Many of our points below are related to these super nutrients. So we had to kick off this list by noting that any food that is a good source of Omega-3s should be at the top of your grocery list for health benefits.
Salmon Skin Keeps Your Heart Healthy:
Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce the risk of heart diseases and hypertension. It’s said that Omega-3’s create healthy blood pressure which also puts less strain on your heart.
Your Brain Health
Omega-3’s protect the brain from degeneration and promote the growth of healthy cells in the body. This can improve everything from brain frog, to depression, to brain diseases and degeneration. You can read more about the Omega-3 brain benefits HERE.
Good Source of Protein
As you probably know, protein plays many essential roles in the human body. Salmon skin is an incredible source of protein, in fact it is sometimes 50% protein. Protein is made up of amino acids which support your brian, blood, muscles, skin, hair, and even your nails. Protein helps support healthy muscles, helps your body heal after an injury, plays a role in anti aging, and is even great for weight loss.
Salmon Skin Promotes Healthy Eyes
Again, Omega-3 fatty acids are so important for your body to function properly. That is especially true for optimal eye function. Salmon skin contains both Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA). DHA is found in the retina more than any other part of the body, and EPA works to create DHA ( source ). Therefore, it’s incredibly important to get enough of both to maintain your eye health and avoid developing issues like chronic dry eyes or worsening eyesight due to aging.
Salmon Skin Gives You Glowing Skin
Salmon skin is packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants help the body fight free radicals, which speed up the aging process, especially in your skin. Niacin, otherwise known as vitamin B is an essential human nutrient that helps retain moisture. Moisturized skin is healthy, glowing skin. Omega 3’s in salmon skin have anti inflammatory properties which help reduce acne. Since salmon skin is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and omega 3’s, it keeps your skin supple and healthy.
Healthy Bones & Teeth
Salmon skin contains a ton of vitamin D, which helps with the absorption of calcium. Calcium is essential for healthy bones. Bones naturally deteriorate with age, so getting enough vitamin D and calcium throughout your life is essential.
Improved Metabolism
Salmon skin contains vitamins B & D which have both been proven to play an important role in a healthy, efficient metabolism. Your metabolism is essentially your body’s ability to convert food into fuel. Improved metabolism is essential for maintaining a healthy weight and just for overall feeling good.
Increased Energy
It’s been a long standing truth that healthy fats give you energy. Well, salmon skin contains tons of healthy fats. However it also helps you preserve more fat from the fish. To explain, a layer of fat is located just beneath the fish skin in salmon. So when you remove salmon skin, you may be removing some of that fat. If you leave the skin on, you’re not letting any of that fat go to waste that could be cut away. Giving you 100% of the fish’s energy boosting fat.
Better Immune Function
All of the vitamins and minerals in salmon skin help give your immune system a boost. However, in addition salmon skin reduces inflammation. Chronic inflammation suppress the immune system, which can lead you to get sick more often any time of the year. More on salmon and the immune system HERE.
Lowers Risk of Diabetes, Cancer, & Other Diseases
As we mentioned above, salmon skin has anti inflammatory properties. Inflammation in the body has long been associated with causing various diseases. Furthermore, a study by Marine Drugs found that salmon skin might help treat type 2 diabetes. Thanks to the abundance of antioxidants it contains, it may even help treat lesions caused by the debilitating disease.
Will you try cooking salmon with the skin on?
The benefits are just too good to pass up. So hopefully this article will encourage you to try leaving the skin on your salmon for your next meal. We would love to know if you have tried cooking salmon with the skin on or not. Leave us a comment on our most recent Instagram to share how you eat your salmon.
