Fish is resistant to water pollution. Karp heads the family of carp. This is a schooling fish, in the same flock can live carp of different age, size and weight, but especially large individuals live separately from small ones. Carp is an omnivorous fish. The carp diet is diverse, it includes both animal and vegetable food, it feeds on carp practically without interruption, as it is an uninfected fish. Carp has massive pharyngeal teeth, with which it grinds solid food. Sexual maturity of carp reaches about three years of age. The life span of this fish can reach 50 years. Average carp weighs about 10 kg, but can reach a weight of 35-40 kg, and in some waters of South America and Thailand you can meet carp, whose weight reaches 100 kg or more. Such carps are called Siamese. Carp first appeared in Asia, namely in China, it was used for food as far back as 1000 BC. In time, carp became known to the whole world. This fish is not accidentally called carp. The carp grow rapidly and are very prolific. And the word "carp" in Greek means "harvest, fruit." In fact, carp is a domesticated carp. Externally, carp is similar to crucian carp, but the carp body is lower and thicker. The carp is handsome enough. Its scales are golden yellow, lighter on the belly and darker on the back.
The most famous varieties of this fish are scaly carp, mirror carp and naked. In scaly carp, the scales uniformly cover the body, the mirror has an uneven, scattered scales, and in the bare carp, respectively, there is no scales at all. There is also a decorative variety of carp - koi. This variety differs in unusual coloration - red, yellow, orange, occasionally bluish.
What is so important about carp for humans, what are the useful properties of fish? Meat carp slightly sweetish, tender, moderately bony. Carp contains a large number of B vitamins, vitamin C, A, as well as many elements necessary for the human body: potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, iodine, manganese, copper, fluorine, chromium and others. Carp is very useful for the brain, contains antioxidants, vitamin B12, which improves the synthesis of DNA, takes part in metabolism.
Consumption of carp helps to improve the skin, has a beneficial effect on the digestive and nervous system, regulates the sugar content in the blood. Phosphorus has a beneficial effect on the chemical processes in cells.
Consumption of carp fish helps with problems of the thyroid gland, strengthens endurance and vital forces of the body, reduces the likelihood of diseases of the prostate gland.
Carp has some advantages over other varieties of fish. Digestion of food in carp occurs in a fairly short intestine, and therefore carp has a powerful enzymatic system. Consumption of carp favorably affects the human gastrointestinal tract, helps to avoid slagging of the intestine. In general, when cooking fish lose a very small amount of water - less than 20%, while meat - twice as much, the properties of fish are also preserved. That is why fish products are soft and juicy, which is an important factor for people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Meat fish carp contains a large amount of zinc and sulfur. Zinc regulates the growth of a person, in particular children, prevents aging processes, strengthens immunity, possesses powerful antitoxic and antiviral properties, favorably influences bone formation, healing of wounds, reduces the likelihood of prostatitis. Sulfur also helps the human body to get rid of toxins and viruses, promotes better absorption of nutrients.
Consumption of carp, and hence of useful properties of fish, carp delays the processes of washing out calcium and phosphorus from bones, especially in elderly people, which helps to prevent osteoporosis. This is due to the fact that the carp contains a balanced amount of calcium and phosphorus salts, which are perfectly absorbed by the human body. Also, the consumption of carp meat helps maintain oxygen balance in the body, prevents the disease with arthritis.
Carp stabilizes the cardiovascular system, reduces the risk of a heart attack and sudden death. Also, carp, like most other types of fish, is a low-calorie food, which means it is suitable for those who follow their figure.
But you need to remember the fact that you can benefit by eating only quality and fresh fish. If the fish is not the first freshness, then you can only harm your body. So let's figure out how to choose the right fish.
The surest way is to buy live fish. In an aquarium fish should be not sluggish, but mobile. If you can not buy live fish, then follow the following tips.
First, examine the gills. They should be bright red or bright pink, but in no case are they dark or black, and they should not have spots or mucus. Gills should not be stuck together.
Second, look at both eyes. The eyes of fresh fish should be convex and transparent, but in no case are muddy, tumble or dry. And if there is still water in the eyes, it also means that the fish is quality and fresh.
Third, examine the scales. It should be moist, and if the scales are brittle, dry, then the fish lay for a long time without water, therefore, it is stale. The skin of the fish should be intact, have a natural color, the mucus on it should be transparent. If the skin becomes pale, sticky, changed color, fish - bad.
Fourth, smell and feel the fish. Fresh fish should not strongly and sharply smell, its smell should be very light and fresh. To the touch, the stomach should be soft, but elastic - it should not be dented from the fingers. The back of the fish should be slightly harder than the stomach, but not too hard. On the fish there should not be a lot of blood stains - this means that the fish was not transported properly or it was sick. Fish tail should not be bent and dry. Fins should also be intact and not stuck together. Take the fish by the head and tail and slightly bend - it should gently bend, but do not break.
Fifth, pay attention to the frost. With wet freezing, the ice should resemble the glaze and be without damage, otherwise it can talk about re-freezing. When dry, the fish should be absolutely firm. Do not fish with patches of a different color or with white spots - this indicates a spoilage or frostbite. A broken fillet says that it has been frozen many times. Documents on the quality and shelf life of fish can be requested from the seller.
If you bought a fish and, when you cut it at home, you found out that the bones themselves are separated from the meat, then you still made a mistake when choosing a fish.
Remember also that sellers often use a variety of tricks to deceive the buyer. Buy fish in proven places, and still be very careful. Now you are aware of the beneficial properties of fish carp, be healthy!