lautnusantara.com Dory fish is a type of marine fish popular in Japanese cuisine. Other names for dory fish are "Dory" or "John Dory" in English. Dory fish has white, tender, and flavorful meat, making it frequently processed into various dishes.

Dory Fish Content

Dory fish, scientifically known as Zeus Faber, has a tender meat texture and contains various essential nutrients needed by the body. According to data from the Sea Fish Industry Authority, fresh dory fish contains the following nutrients:

• Protein

• Fat

• Omega-3

• Phosphorus

• Vitamin B6

• Potassium

• Calcium

• Magnesium

• Zinc

Benefits of Dory Fish

Based on its nutritional content, here are various health benefits of dory fish for the body:

1. Supports Repair of Damaged Cells

   It's no secret that fish is a rich source of protein, including dory fish. The protein content in dory fish offers many benefits, primarily in repairing damaged body cells and tissues. For instance, protein plays a role in the entire wound healing process, from RNA and DNA synthesis, collagen and protective skin layer formation, to supporting immune system function to accelerate tissue recovery.

2. Maintains Stable Blood Pressure

   The potassium content in dory fish helps maintain stable blood pressure. This is because potassium can reduce the effects of excess sodium in the body, which can bind more water. As a result, excess sodium can increase blood pressure and even trigger recurrent hypertension symptoms. The more potassium-rich foods you consume, the more sodium will be eliminated from your body.

3. Strengthens Bones

   The phosphorus and calcium content in dory fish are good for bone health. Phosphorus is an important component of bones and teeth. Similarly, calcium supports bone strength and growth. Maintaining bone health prevents future bone problems like fractures or osteoporosis.

4. Boosts Mood

   Consuming dory fish also helps improve mood. This benefit comes from its potential vitamin B6 content. Vitamin B6 is involved in the production of serotonin, a hormone that can help regulate mood, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality. This benefit is documented in a study published in the Journal International de Vitaminologie et de Nutrition. The study states that high vitamin B6 intake is associated with a reduced risk of depression and anxiety in women. However, this benefit does not apply to men.

5. Prevents and Treats Anemia

   Another benefit of dory fish is preventing and treating anemia. This is thanks to its vitamin B6 content, which supports red blood cell production. Vitamin B6 is necessary for the synthesis of amino acids derived from dietary protein. These amino acids play a role in iron absorption, which is crucial for hemoglobin synthesis and is a primary building block of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the substance that binds oxygen in red blood cells. This means proper red blood cell formation can prevent anemia.

6. Reduces Cancer Risk

   Dory fish can also reduce the risk of cancer due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3 helps reduce cell damage that triggers cancer, inhibits cancer cell division, and stops cancer cells from producing new blood vessels. However, it's important to understand that consuming this fish alone does not fully prevent cancer. You still need to maintain a diet high in antioxidants from vegetables and fruits, exercise regularly, and manage stress well to stay healthy.

7. Prevents Heart Disease

   The phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc in dory fish also benefit heart health. Phosphorus plays a role in regulating heartbeats, partly by maintaining electrolyte balance in the body, which affects heart muscle contraction and relaxation. Magnesium helps lower blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease. Meanwhile, zinc is an antioxidant that can protect heart cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Zinc also helps maintain the elasticity and function of blood vessels. This function is important for healthy blood circulation.

8. Maintains Brain Health

   Consuming dory fish is also good for brain health due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3 helps improve memory, supports cognitive processes, and enhances blood flow in the brain. Besides omega-3, vitamin B6 in dory fish helps protect the brain from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

9. Reduces PMS Symptoms

   Consuming dory fish before menstruation can also reduce PMS symptoms due to its vitamin B6 content. This benefit is noted in a study in the Journal of Caring Sciences conducted on premenstrual women. The study results indicate that vitamin B6 along with calcium reduced PMS symptoms, including mood swings, anxiety, and irritability.

Are Dory Fish and Pangasius Fish the Same?

Dory fish and Pangasius fish are different types of fish. Dory fish is often mistaken for Pangasius fish, but these two fish are very different, even though their taste and texture may seem similar at first glance.

Dory fish is a marine fish that is well-known and expensive. This type of fish belongs to the Zeidae family and lives off the coasts of Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan, and Europe.

Meanwhile, Pangasius fish is a freshwater fish and belongs to the Pangasidae family. Pangasius fish are characterized by their flat and slippery bodies, and typically have a grayish or brownish color. Pangasius fish usually live in rivers, lakes, and other freshwater environments.

These two fish are often confused because many restaurants or fish vendors label filleted Pangasius fish as dory fish. Indeed, after filleting, both fish also show a similar appearance: white, thick flesh, and few bones.

So, it can be concluded that dory fish and Pangasius fish are two different types of fish. Because their origin and species are different, their nutritional content and benefits for the body also differ.