The Basa fish is among the cheapest fish available internationally. This is scientifically known as the Pangasius hypophthalmus and also Pangasius Bocourti. These are harvested mostly in Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam.
The Basa fish is known by many names, such as the Freshwater Fillets, Vietnamese River Cobbler, Grey Soul, Panga, and Pacific Dory.
The most interesting thing about Basa fishes that it grows very fast needs less oxygen and feeds on plants. In a world where everyone wants to eat fish, the Basa offers an amazing solution.
Its fast growth is the reason why it is harvested. The fish is cheaper to grow, and hence it is competitively priced in all the markets. The cheap costs make this fish even more popular internationally.
Interestingly, the
How did Basa farming start?
Vietnam first started Basa farming in 1960, and it soon became the country’s third-biggest industry. The Chao Phraya and Mekong River are mostly used for the farming of these fish. You will also find numerous pens surrounding the rivers where the fish are harvested.
However, there has been much debate about the safety and health concerns related to the consumption of this fish in recent times. In fact, in many countries like the United States, Basa fish has been completely banned.
Let’s take a closer look at why and how the Basa came to such a stage.
Nutritional Content
The Basa fish has a light and firm texture with little fishy flavour, similar to the Haddock or the Cod. Its boneless fillets are extremely popular and consumed hugely.
- This white fish is high in protein and low in calorie. On the calorie chart, it rates about 158 calories. No wonder people on a diet love Basa fish.
- The carbohydrate content of this fish is zero which means it is ideal for people who want to lose weight. Zero carbs are considered ideal for many people.
- It has a protein content of 22.5 grams and only 7grams of fat.
- In comparison to other white fish, this is an amazing find.
- The fish is high on Omega 3 fatty acids which are essential for maintaining the health of your brain and body as you grow older.
- The fillets of Basa also have low sodium content. The daily intake of sodium should not be more than 2,300 mg and if you eat a fillet weighting 100 grams you are consuming hardly 2
percent of the recommended amount.
Summary: Basa is good for your physical health and brain because of the high-calorie content and Omega 3 fatty acids.
Benefits of Basa Fish
Basa is a lean, white fish loaded with nutritional benefits for great physical health and heart.
- Fish eaters tend to live longer and have a healthier heart
- Lean fish like the Basa ensures that your cholesterol levels remain low and you are free from heart diseases.
- The basa fish nutrition content is useful for enzyme production and tissue repair
- For dieters, the Basa fish is a boon because you are not consuming too many calories and yet eating a white fish.
- The protein content in the fish keeps you feeling full for the greater part of the day and prevents unnecessary food cravings.
Summary: The Basa keeps you full for a long time which is important for people on a diet. Since it is a lean fish, people consuming the Basa are likely to have a healthy heart and controlled weight.
Safety issues while consuming Basa
The nutritional content and health benefits show Basa as a great fish that people should consume worldwide. Fish protein anyway is considered extremely healthy, and this one also comes cheap.
Fish are bred in water in pens which often get contaminated by various sources. The sea is extremely contaminated from oil spills and different kinds of wastes dumped in the water body.
Therefore, any kind of fish consumption is not free of risks of contamination. It is quite possible to find various kinds of waste contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls and mercury. These can create toxic effects in the body when it is consumed.
Research has discovered metal residues in Basa fish which is beyond the permissible limits of safety. This is due to the fishing environment in which the fish is being raised.
The fish’s pens often get contaminated, and farmers use chemical agents to control that fish. These components often contaminate the fish in turn.
This is especially true for the Basa fish farmed in Vietnam. They have been found to contain traces of antibiotics and other veterinary drugs.
Research has also revealed that almost 80 per cent of the fish exported to Ukraine, Germany, and Poland contained the Vibrio Bacteria responsible for food poisoning.
It is one of the primary reasons why the fish has been banned in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
Conclusion:
Basa from Southeast Asia is tasty and excellent for health. Basa fish benefits include richness in protein and the lack of carbohydrates which makes it a dieter’s delight. It smells fishy, has a firm texture and can easily replace other varieties of fish in various preparations.
It poses certain health threats has also reduced its popularity and banned it in certain countries. But if the food is not eaten raw or half-cooked, it should not be too difficult to handle. The risks of food poisoning can be reduced if the fish is prepared properly.
While shopping for basa fish, it is best to pick the fillets because they have the lowest possibility of being contaminated. They are also farmed in an environment-friendly way.
In the past 20 years, many people have turned to omega-3 fish oil supplements, It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are very important for your health and also for those with heart disease.
Omega-3 fish oil capsules contain both DHA and EPA. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that are important for eye health, mental health, heart health, it reduce inflammation and supports healthy skin.
