Horse mackerel benefits, and information on the nutritional properties provided by this delicious blue fish, with interesting nutritional qualities.
The horse mackerel is one of those very fish known in many villages in Spain, not only because it delicious recipes and typical dishes are prepared, but because for years different sport fishing competitions are practiced.
It is popularly known by the name of chicharro, chicharrón, chicharrilla or black horse mackerel. It belongs to the Carangid family, and although there are different species, one of the highest quality – and ultimately most revered – is the common horse mackerel.
Unlike halibut (in which its best season is practically the whole year), the best months of the horse mackerel season are between the months of April to October, although it is also true that we can find it throughout the year in fishmongers and markets.
Horse mackerel nutritional properties
Horse mackerel is a blue fish, which means that we are dealing with a fatty fish (100 grams provide about 7 grams of fat and a total of 127 calories), but most of this fat corresponds to omega-3 fatty acids.
It is a fish rich in good quality proteins (also known as proteins of high biological value), in addition to a very interesting amount of vitamins and minerals.
Among these vitamins we can highlight above all vitamins of group B, vitamin A and D. Among its mineral content, it provides above all iron, magnesium and iodine.
| Calories | 125 kcal | ||
| Protein | 15.7 g | ||
| Carbohydrates | 0.1 g | ||
| Total fat | 6.8 g | ||
| Vitamins | Minerals | ||
| Vitamin A | 36 mcg | Iron | 1 mg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.09 mg | Magnesium | 31 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.3 mg | Iodine | 10 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 9 mg | ||
| B12 vitamin | 10 mcg | ||
| Vitamin D | 16 mcg | ||
Horse mackerel benefits
First of all, when it comes to talking about the different benefits of horse mackerel, it is worth noting that we are dealing with a delicious blue fish, which means that it is extremely rich in omega 3 fatty acids.
As you surely know, these fatty acids help to take care of our cardiovascular system, since they reduce high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, while preventing cardiovascular or degenerative diseases.
Regarding its vitamin content, vitamin D is an essential nutrient that favors the absorption of calcium, so that together with foods rich in this vitamin, the consumption of foods high in calcium, essential for bones, is recommended. And teeth. On the other hand, vitamin A is essential to improve vision, in the production of sex hormones and promote resistance against infections.
Regarding its mineral content, we can highlight iodine as it is essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland; it also provides iron, necessary for the formation of hemoglobin and in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia; and magnesium, useful in the proper functioning of the nerves and muscles.
