Asian salmon soup bowl

This is a quick and simple lunch time soup. We have all heard that we should eat oily fish every week as it is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, but do you actually know what this does for you?

Omega-3 fatty acids help to lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol. It also helps to repair heart damage and strengthen the heart muscles whilst aiding in lowering blood pressure, which all reduces the risk of heart disease.

Salmon also contains vitamins A, B and D as well as the minerals calcium, iron, phosphorus and selenium, all of which form part of a balanced healthy diet. These vitamins and minerals combined with the Omga-3 fatty acids work to protect your nervous system from the effects of aging. Some studies have shown that regular consumption of salmon could lower your risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson disease.

The omega-3 and selenium in salmon helps in reducing depression and lifting mood. A review of five studies published in "Nutritional Neuroscience" found a clear relationship between poorer mood and low dietary selenium.

The fresh ginger in the recipe also has numerous health benefits ranging from anti-inflammatory properties to anti viral, anti toxic, and anti fungal properties, and is used for the prevention of and treatment against the common cold. 


Ingredients:

625 ml chicken stock
1 tbsp lime or lemon juice
2 tsp grated fresh ginger root
1/4 tsp chilli flakes
60 g medium or fine egg noodles
1 medium carrot, very thinly sliced
150 g salmon, cooked, skinless and boneless
30g mange tout halved diagonally or asparagus chopped in small pieces
2 spring onions, sliced


How to:

1. In saucepan, bring to boil the stock, lime juice, ginger root and chilli flakes. 
2. Stir in the noodles and carrot; simmer 4 minutes.
3. Add salmon, mange tout and spring onions; continue simmering for 2 minutes or until heated through.
4. Serve in bowls.

If you don't like salmon you could substitute fresh tuna fish and still reap all the benefits of the Omega-3 fatty acids. For those of you that are not keen on fish, then you could also try this with finely diced leftover cooked chicken or pork.

The science:
http://umm.edu Alzheimer's disease