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Is it farming or wild? Which salmon to choose?
Table of Contents
1. Wild salmon and farmed salmon are different
The general difference between farmed salmon and wild salmon concerns both the way fish are harvested and the conditions under which they live and grow. Farmed salmon comes from aquaculture, i.e. fish farms where it is artificially bred in closed water tanks or sea nets. In such conditions, it is fed ready-to-eat and health-controlled feed, which makes it available all year round. The most commonly farmed species of salmon are the Atlantic salmon. Wild salmon, on the other hand, lives and grows in its natural environment in the oceans, seas and rivers, and half of the fish species migrate to the Mediterranean.2. The nutritional values
The difference in nutritional values between farmed salmon and wild salmon is mainly due to their lifestyle and diet. Farmed salmon, fed with specially prepared feed, is significantly fatter, which also translates to a higher calorie content. Such a diet also causes farmed trout to provide more omega-3 fatty acids, but most of them are cinnamon-linolenic (ALA), which is not as biologically active as eicosapenoic acid (EPA) and lactic acid (Docase).3. Pollution
However, these substances can accumulate in the body and also to some extent affect the meat consumed by humans. Fish farms may also be exposed to higher levels of chemical pollutants. In farms, pesticides and antibiotics are frequently used to prevent fish diseases and control parasites. Unfortunately, these chemicals can build up in the human body and to a certain extent also affect human-eaten meat. In fish farming, they may be more susceptible to exposure to dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which can dissolve naturally in the fish and animal tissues.4. The price
The price of farmed and wild salmon varies due to availability and production costs. Farmed salmon is cheaper because it can be produced year-round under controlled conditions, which ensures constant availlability. Wild salmon is more expensive because its catch is seasonal and requires more resources. Additionally, wild fishing is often associated with higher ecological standards that affect the higher price. As a result, wild salmon is considered a premium product offered at a higher price, especially for species such as royal salmon.5. Whether farming salmon is a bad choice
Farmed salmon doesn't have to be a bad choice, and its consumption may bring more health benefits than risks. According to the Marine Fisheries Institute, regular inclusion of salmon in the food list, even 23 times a week, allows for the delivery of valuable omega-3 fatty acids that support heart and nervous system health. Although there are concerns about pollutants such as dioxins and PCBs, for fish eaters, choosing between salmon and salmon is not a big deal. However, those who eat fish regularly should rely more heavily on salmon, and if they rely on these nutrients, it is possible to choose holographic and hologrammatic sources.6. How to choose the right product
It is worth noting a few key factors. First of all, to check the origin of wild salmon, especially from the Pacific, it is considered a healthier choice, but breeders, e.g. from Norway or Canada, can be just as good if they come from certified breeds. It is important to look for certificates such as MSCs that guarantee a responsible source. It's also important to note its freshness.7. Summary
Statistics don't leave any illusions Poles definitely eat too little fish. Although the differences between wild and farmed salmon are clear, with moderate consumption, e.g. once a week, they are not essential. It is worth remembering that the health benefits of regular inclusion of salmon in the diet such as the supply of valuable omega-3 fatty acids, supporting cardiovascular health and overall health improvement definitely outweigh the possible risks associated with pollution.
