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Matjes are healthy and provide you with numerous nutrients. However, this fish product is not suitable for everyone—even if you enjoy eating it.
Why matjes are so healthy
Between May and June, fishermen catch herring, which are then pickled in brine to mature into matjes. Matjes are healthy because they contain a wide range of nutrients.
- Matjes are considered one of the fattest types of fish, with a fat content of 12 to 20 percent, and in exceptional cases even 28 percent.
- Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, are found in such large quantities that you can meet your omega-3 requirement for one to two days by consuming just 100 grams of the fish. These important fatty acids help prevent cardiovascular disease and regulate your metabolism.
- Matjes are also rich in protein, with the fish product containing between 13 and 18 grams of protein per 100 grams, depending on whether you eat matjes fillet, smoked matjes, or salted matjes herring. Proteins are essential for muscle building, among other things.
- The iodine contained in matjes is also an important component of the human diet, but with a content of 48 to 60 µg per 100 grams, it only covers part of your daily requirement. You need about 150 to 200 micrograms per day. Iodine can help prevent thyroid disorders and keep your nervous system healthy.
- Pickled herring is also rich in vitamin D. The 15 to 25 micrograms of vitamin D in 100 grams of matjes herring are responsible for healthy bone structure, among other things, and you can meet your daily requirement of about 20 micrograms with this fish.
- Matjes herring also contains vitamin E, which has anti-inflammatory properties and a positive effect on the nervous system. nbsp;Matjes also provides vitamin B3, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. You need these vitamins for a healthy nervous system and metabolism.
- Pickled fish also contains many minerals such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, as well as calcium and magnesium. These keep not only your bones healthy, but also your teeth and gums.
- For people who have drunk too much alcohol the night before, matjes is considered the ideal hangover breakfast due to its salt content. However, this effect has not been proven.
Why matjes herring is not suitable for everyone
Due to the way it is prepared, matjes herring is not healthy for everyone. Some people are therefore better off choosing other types of fish.
- Although pregnant women have an increased need for vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, they should avoid matjes during pregnancy. After all, it is a raw fish, even if it is preserved in brine. However, as with sushi, matjes could be contaminated with listeria, which could harm the unborn child.
- Babies and toddlers up to the age of 5 should also avoid eating matjes, as their immune systems are not yet strong enough to ward off any dangers posed by raw fish. These are guidelines provided by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).
- The weakened immune system of sick people is also responsible for the fact that they should choose foods other than matjes. The BfR also points this out. Of course, in the end, everyone can decide for themselves whether they want to take the risk or not.
- Risk groups also include people who should avoid too much salt in their daily diet or who are sensitive to it. These include, in particular, people with high blood pressure, heart failure, or kidney disease.
- If you don’t want to give up fish, look for the blue MSC seal on matjes products when buying matjes. This seal indicates that the herring used was caught in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner and does not harm the ecosystem through overfishing.
