Pamphelt Pomfret fish – Health Benefits

 Pamphelt Pomfret fish – Health Benefits

Pomfret has a light texture and sweet, rich flavour. It has high fat content, hence its alternate name, butterfish. Like most others, this one provides calcium, vitamins A and D, and B­vitamins, including Vitamin B12, vital for the nervous system. It also offers iodine, critical for the thyroid gland. A useful brain food, the pomfret is good for eyesight and healthy hair and skin. Fishes are high in protein, low in saturated fat and a unique source of omega­3 essential fatty acids.  Fish is a very good source of protein, and a food capable of pro viding almost 15 per cent of our daily value for omega­3 fatty acids in one 4­ounce serving. Consuming fish rich in omega­3 fats, such as snap per, promotes cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate variability. 

Black pomfret : Pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and children up to six years of age should choose the fish they eat carefully. Avoid drinking milk after consuming fish, as the latter takes longer to get digested Cook easy For a delicious plate of fish, here are some pointers: Always try Y ­boned fish, as it is tastier (sardine, ladyfish, etc) Curried fish is a healthier alternative to fried fish as the oil in the fish is retained in the curry Avoid deep ­frying. Opt for tawa­ fry, baked or steamed fish. Fish is a high-protein, low-fat food that provides a range of health benefits. White-fleshed fish, in particular, is lower in fat than any other source of animal protein, and oily fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, or the "good" fats. Since the human body can’t make significant amounts of these essential nutrients, fish are an important part of the diet. 

Also, fish are low in the "bad" fats commonly found in red meat, called omega-6 fatty acids. A growing body of evidence indicates that omega-3 fatty acids provide a number of health benefits. They help maintain cardiovascular health by playing a role in the regulation of blood clotting and vessel constriction; are important for prenatal and postnatal neurological development; may reduce tissue inflammation and alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis; may play a beneficial role in cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), reducing depression and halting mental decline in older people. The omega-3s found in fish (EPA and DHA) appear to provide the greatest health benefits.  Fish that are high in omega-3s, low in environmental contaminants and eco-friendly. Fish oils come from both fish caught as food for humans and from small fish caught for animal feed, such as Peruvian anchovies. 

The nutritional value of fish is of a very high order. According to doctors and nutritionists, the human body needs an intake of fish because of its high protein value. All types of fish – from rohu to hilsa to silverkarp – have vitamin B, amino acids and also calcium, zinc, iron, thallium, phosphorus apart from protein. Though the protein content in fish is around 20 per cent, less than meat, the former is more beneficial to human health. The main benefit of eating fish as opposed to meat is that it is far healthier. While fish particularly is very low in fat and calories and should be the preferred diet specially for those who are dieting. This apart, fish does not contain saturated fats, like all meat products and by-products such as butter, cheese and milk. 

 

Reindeer – Life in hostile and cold environments

Reindeer – Life in hostile and cold environments

The reindeer ( caribou) is a medium-sized member of the deer  family. Reindeer are strong runners and very good swimmers. This deer is found in Arctic tundra, forests, and mountains in Russia, Northern China, Canada, Alaska, and Scandinavia. Some reindeer migrate in huge herds from the coastal Arctic to the tundra. Reindeer have a life span of about 10 years in the wild. Reindeer were domesticated in northern Eurasia roughly 2,000 years ago.

 Today, reindeer are herded by many European and Asian Arctic people. The reindeer is about 4 feet (1.2 m) tall at the shoulder and is about 6 feet (1.8 m) long. Unlike most other types of deer, both bulls (males) and cows (females) have antlers. The antlers are shed each year and re grow. Reindeer have very wide hooves, a broad muzzle, and thick brown fur. The thick fur traps air, which insulates the reindeer from the cold and helps the reindeer float in water. The reindeer is an herbivore (a plant-eater) who spends most of the day eating. During the winter, reindeer eat lichens and moss; in warmer months, they also eat leaves and herbs.

Reindeer are herbivores. This means that they only eat plants and do not eat other animals. These animals spend the better part of their days eating. During the warmer months of the year, reindeer often eat herbs and leaves. When the weather is cold, they eat moss and lichens. Reindeer also eat grass. On occasion, evidence shows that reindeer may feed on arctic char, lemmings, and bird eggs. Some also eat mushrooms during the late summer. Reindeer are almost always found in taiga and tundra

 They were originally found in Scandinavia, Russia, Northern China, Eastern Europe, and Mongolia. In North America, they are found in Alaska, and from Maine to Washington in the northern conterminous United States. They can also be found in Canada. They may also be found, though sometimes not many, in Greenland, Norway, Siberia, Finland, Scotland, South Georgia, and Iceland. Populations have fluctuated throughout history, but several different herds are reducing across their range.

 Migratory, northern reindeer and caribou are reducing due to climate change. Non-migratory, sedentary herds are reducing due to their habitat being affected by industrial disturbance. Reindeer mate from around late September to around the early part of November. Males battle each other to get to the females. They do this by trying to push each other away after locking antlers. 

The dominant males will gather nearly 15 to 20 females that they will mate with. During this time, males lose most of their body reserves because they stop eating. During the following May or June, calves may be born. Females usually give birth to one or two babies per litter. It takes about 45 days for these calves to start foraging and grazing. However, they will remain feeding from their mother until around the following autumn, when they are able to be independent from their mother.

 In addition to the basic reindeer facts, there are other facts that are interesting about this animal. The broad hooves that reindeer have act like snowshoes allowing them to easily make their way through snow and ice. During the winter, reindeer shed their antlers. The term “herd” is used to describe a group of reindeer. Bellowing is the sound reindeer make. Male reindeer are usually solitary, while females tend to group themselves into herds. However, during September, males will join herds for what is known as the rutting season.