Squid ink pastas are basically classic egg and wheat pasta coloured with black squid ink. It is also a rather versatile dish because there are squid ink-coloured versions of different types of pasta, such as spaghetti, fettucine, gnocchi as well as fusilli.
Despite its pitch-black fierce appearance, squid ink pasta does not taste that way as well. Some say that it tastes as good as ordinary pasta, even better in some ways.
Now as we go along to discover more about the squid ink, we will also learn about the health benefits of squid ink pasta.
About the Squid Ink
Squids, just like other types of cephalopods are able to produce ink. Inks produced by squids are naturally used as a weapon to attack predators, but it has also seen human uses of it since the ancient times. Squid ink was the original ink used for writing, and also for cooking.
Inks are mostly created from dark pigments known as the melamine, which is suspended into thick mucus combined with other substances such as amino acids. These inks are stored inside the ink glands and sacs. The inks are constantly produced, and as the sacs reach its maximum capacity it breaks down and empties itself for new inks to replace the glands’ occupancy. The ink sac is connected with the intestine end that leads to the siphon. When the squid feels threatened, it immediately squeezes the sac in order to eject ink. Different cephalopods have slight colour tones of their ink; squid ink is bluish-black, cuttlefish ink is brown whereas octopus’ ink is pure black.
Squid ink for cooking is traditionally used in Spanish as well as Italian cuisine. Its culinary uses have since expanded to other global cuisines, such as Southeast Asian cuisine. Apart from that, squid inks are now also available in the form of sauces.
These are the health benefits eating squid and health benefits of baby octopus.
What are its Health Benefits?
Here are the health benefits of squid ink pasta:
- Squid Inks are Rich Antioxidant Sources
A 2013 edition of “International Aquatic Research” revealed that squid inks contain a considerable number of antioxidants other than melanin.
An internal study concluded that the antioxidants found inside squid inks possess powerful abilities to prevent lipid oxidation, which are also useful in reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases in people. On the other hand, more research as well as concrete findings are needed to justify this claim.
- Squid Inks are also High in Iron
Iron is a component of hemoglobin, the substance inside red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to be distributed all throughout the body. Lack of iron means that the body will not be able to produce sufficient levels of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.
A 2008 edition of “Journal of Food Science”, researchers discovered that squid ink reduces iron deficiency after conducting experiments involving rats. Rats who were originally fed with low-iron diet immediately had higher red blood cell and hemoglobin counts after being fed with squid ink. These are the benefits couscous health.
- Squid Inks Contain Glutamic Acid and Flavour
Who would ever thought that squid inks contain rich flavour thanks to glutamic acid. Glutamic acid, which are often mistaken as glutamates produce rich flavours that resemble umami. Squid inks instantly increases flavour, similar to other rich tasting foodstuff like Parmesan cheese due to its glutamic acid content.
Glutamic acid is often regarded as the third flavour enhancer ingredient after salt and sugar. However, if one is allergic to MSG, then it is wise for that person to not bother using squid inks to boost flavor after all.
- Squid Inks are Thought to Be Anti-Cancer
The idea of squid ink being anti-cancer substances came across after a Chinese study that observed squid ink in curbing mice cell activities. In other words, squid ink can also be used as an alternative to fight against cancer.
- Squid Inks are Antibacterial
In the meantime, squid inks are also seen as antibacterial because it has properties to remove pathogens such as E. coli as well as staph. Escherichia coli, or otherwise shortened into E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives inside the intestines of healthy people as well as animals.
In general, E. coli in general is harmless, however certain types of it cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and more. These are the symptoms of streptococcus bacteria infections plus the benefits of lactobacillus acidophilus.
- Pasta are Wealthy Sources of Carbohydrates and Fibre
Being sourced from the same ingredients, all types of pasta are a source of both carbohydrates as well as fibre. A small bowl of spaghetti contains 43 grams of carbohydrate, which provides as a primary source of energy to the body.
Fibre are especially present on whole wheat pastas, which in addition also helps to improve digestion, as well as fighting off both diabetes and obesity. In the meantime, whole wheat spaghetti contains 37 grams of carbohydrate as well as 6.3 grams of dietary fibre.
- Pastas Contain At Least 4 Types of Valuable Minerals
Pasta products contain 4 different types of valuable minerals, which are no other than folate, carotenoids, selenium, as well as manganese. White pasta and whole wheat pasta are sources of folate or vitamin B9 as well as carotenoids respectively.
Folate is much needed by the body to support rapid red blood cell as well as cell development. In the meantime, carotenoids minimize the chances of lung cancer.
Simultaneously, both whole-wheat pasta as well as white pasta contain selenium plus manganese. Selenium helps the activation of antioxidants to prevent cells from damage, and manganese supports metabolism and a balanced level of blood sugar.
Those are the health benefits of squid ink pasta. Despite the fact that there may not be as much health benefits possessed specifically by squid ink, however the health benefits of pasta seem to enrich the overall health benefits of squid ink pasta. Therefore, squid ink pasta is not only healthy and delicious, but it is unique as well.