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What are the benefits of cuttlefish ink — 4 proven properties

Cuttlefish ink is a special liquid that is stored in ink bags of shellfish. The substance has been recognized not only in cooking, but also in evidence-based medicine, as it has a pronounced antibacterial, antimicrobial and anticancer effect.

Cuttlefish ink is believed to benefit human health and can be used to prevent cancer, fight infectious agents, and prevent a number of chronic diseases.

What is cuttlefish ink?

Cuttlefish ink is the contents of an ink bag that is located in the body of a cuttlefish – one of the largest mollusks.

For several centuries, ink has been used exclusively for writing. However, recently the product has become actively used in culinary business to give dishes a special color, taste and even aroma.

The ink has a salty taste and smells like a bouquet of spicy herbs.

Cuttlefish ink is a popular natural food coloring.

4 useful properties

4 medicinal properties of cuttlefish ink are described below (based on evidence).

1. Antimicrobial effect

Numerous studies demonstrate the ability of ink to destroy pathogenic microorganisms.

In particular, Indian specialists revealed pronounced antiviral effect, scientists from Egypt installed The effectiveness of the product against bacterial agents.

Experimentally proven the ability of ink to inhibit the growth and reproduction of steptococci, actinomycetes, a number of lactobacilli and fungi of the genus Candida.

The contents of the cuttlefish bag are also can be used for the treatment of food poisoning caused by Escherichia and listeria.

Cuttlefish ink has pronounced antimicrobial activity and can be used for the treatment and prevention of bacterial, viral and fungal infections.

2. Antioxidant effect

Proven that cuttlefish ink is a powerful antioxidant. Consequently, they can effectively fight free radicals, the effect of which on cells leads to the death or malignant degeneration of the latter.

Antioxidants also inhibit chronic inflammation, which is associated with the development of diseases from almost all body systems (hypertension, coronary heart disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, type II diabetes, etc.).

Cuttlefish ink is a powerful antioxidant that protects the human body from many chronic diseases.

3. Fighting cancer

Foreign studies show the ability of cuttlefish ink to prevent the development of malignant tumors.

Individual components of the product inhibit the growth of cancer cells, destroy their cell membranes and even warn metastasis (spreading through the body).

Proven effectiveness against malignant degeneration of tissues of the following organs:

It should be noted separately ability cuttlefish gland secretions reduce the negative effects of chemotherapeutic agents on healthy body tissues (especially the hematopoietic system).

Cuttlefish ink is able to prevent the development of malignant tumors and reduce the harmful effects of anti-cancer drugs on the body.

4. Strengthening the immune system

Chinese scientists have established that cuttlefish ink is able to accelerate the synthesis of granulocytes – "protective" blood cells, as well as improve the recognition of foreign agents by cells of the immune system.

This property allows you to improve the work of the immune system in general, and to increase the body's resistance to various external factors of aggression (especially from barrier tissues).

The inclusion of cuttlefish ink in the diet helps to strengthen the immune system.

Possible harm

The only well-studied side effect of using cuttlefish ink is allergic reactions. They are caused by the sensitization of the human body to individual proteins of the product.

Allergopathologies can have any character: from a barely noticeable rash to severe anaphylactic shock.

It is recommended to refuse to include ink in the diet if there is a history of allergies to them or to meat of representatives of the Shellfish type.

When using ink in food, allergic reactions may develop.

Use in cooking

Ink can be obtained in two ways:

  1. Get it yourself from the ink bag when cutting cuttlefish.
  2. Buy pre-packaged ink at a seafood store.

When buying frozen cuttlefish, defrost the seafood, take out the bag and dilute the contents in 1 tsp of boiling water, then stir thoroughly.

Cuttlefish ink is best combined with spaghetti, pasta and rice. They are added to the dishes after cooking and mixed evenly.

Separately, we note the following features of ink consumption:

  1. Lack of human studies. All positive or negative effects were studied exclusively in vitro or on animals. The effects on the human body have not been studied.
  2. Low dose . Cuttlefish ink is usually used in small quantities (this is enough to achieve the desired organoleptic properties of dishes). However, it is unlikely that a small volume will realize the full range of useful properties.
  3. Unprofitability . Cuttlefish ink is very expensive, but it does not have a significant effect on the taste of the dish. There are many (including natural) analogues of this dye.
Cuttlefish ink is a versatile product that can be purchased ready-made.

Conclusion

Thus, cuttlefish ink is a natural dye that supposedly has a positive effect on the human body.

Antioxidant, antitumor, immunostimulating and antimicrobial effects are noted.

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