Is Swordfish Healthy? Benefits, Recipes, And Side Effects

Swordfish are large predatory fish with a rich nutrient profile. Their steaks are more popular in the South Atlantic region. The benefits of swordfish are numerous, thanks to their omega-3 fats, vitamin D, and selenium. These nutrients help support your heart health, bone strength, and cognitive function. This predatory fish can reach a length of 15 feet and can weigh several pounds. This article explores the nutrition facts, health benefits, and some popular recipes of swordfish that you can try. Keep reading.

Know Your Ingredient: Swordfish

What Is It?
A large, predatory fish with a long, pointed bill that is found across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian ocean.

What Are Its Benefits?
May support heart health, increase brain function, and improve vision and bone health.

Who Can Consume It?
Considered safe for consumption in general.

How Often?
Up to 250 mg daily.

Caution
Avoid consuming it if you are allergic to seafish. May aggravate diabetes due to high mercury content.

What Is Swordfish?

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is a large, migratory, predatory billfish found in warm and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. It has a rounded body, large eyes, and a long sword-like bill to injure and stun the prey. Adult swordfish lack teeth and scales.

Swordfish is a popular game fish pursued by anglers for recreational and commercial activity. Anglers commonly use longlines and harpoons to catch them. Swordfish migrate to colder waters in the summer to feed. Fish and invertebrates like squid are among their preferred meals.

Trivia

The fish is named after its flat bill that resembles a sword, and the name is derived from the Greek term “xiphos,” meaning “sword.”

Nutrition Profile Of Swordfish

A hundred grams of raw swordfish contains (1):

Swordfish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) (2). It is an excellent source of selenium and vitamin D. Human body cannot produce these essential nutrients. Hence, we have to depend on food sources to get them. Consuming swordfish has excellent health benefits. However, if you are still wondering, ‘Is swordfish healthy? Then let’s take a look at its benefits.

Potential Health Benefits Of Swordfish

1. May Promote Heart Health

Swordfish contains selenium, vitamin D3, and omega-3 fats. Selenium is crucial for maintaining heart health, especially in patients at the risk of heart failure and cardiovascular conditions. Vitamin D3 maintains healthy blood vessels and heart function. Several clinical trials have shown that EPA and DHA reduce the risk of heart-related deaths, and a daily intake of 0.5 to 1.8 g of EPA and DHA keeps the heart healthy. The EPA and DHA may lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel function and heart health (3), (4), (5 ).

2. May Prevent Cancer

Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the risk of cancer (especially colorectal cancer) (6). Both these nutrients may also help keep the cancer cells from spreading inside the body, (7).

3. May Boost Brain Function

The essential nutrients in swordfish may help boost brain function and cognitive abilities. Vitamin D promotes brain development and function. Balanced blood and brain selenium (present in swordfish as selenoproteins) concentrations are essential for healthy brain function and neuron survival. DHA is also vital for brain function and improved cognition (8), (9), (10).

4. May Improve Vision

EPA and DHA reduce the risk of inflammatory eye disorders, such as dry eye disease (DED) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These healthy fats reduce inflammation and protect our eyes (11).

5. May Improve Bone Health

Swordfish is packed with nutrients that can keep your bones strong and healthy. Vitamin D helps keep calcium and phosphorus levels in check, the bones strong and hard, and maintains essential cellular functions. Selenium (as selenoproteins) promotes bone development, and omega-3 fatty acids may increase bone mineral density in women (12), (13), (14).

6. May Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis

Researchers found that a daily dose of 2.6 g omega-3 fatty acids could minimize the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, women over 50 may be at lower risk for rheumatoid arthritis when they consume adequate amounts of vitamin D (15), (16).

7. May Boost Immunity

Omega-3 fatty acids improve the function of immune cells to improve the body’s immune response. Vitamin D also influences immune system response and reduces the risk of infections and other diseases. Selenium affects immunity in different ways. In individuals with moderately low selenium levels, it may have a greater impact on immune function (17), (18), (19).

8. May Help In Calcium Absorption

Swordfish may improve calcium absorption in the body due to its vitamin D content, a key factor in calcium metabolism. Adequate levels of vitamin D are essential for optimizing the efficiency of calcium absorption. Without it, the body can only absorb 10-15% of dietary calcium, but with enough vitamin D, absorption may increase to 30-40%. In studies with rodents, those lacking vitamin D receptors developed osteomalacia, a bone condition, that could be reversed with a diet rich in calcium and lactose. This highlights vitamin D’s crucial role in promoting proper bone mineralization by enhancing calcium absorption in the intestines (20).

Though the above benefits seem brief, their role in our body’s functioning is complex. Numerous biological processes rely on the three vital nutrients – omega-3 fats, selenium, and vitamin D. And swordfish is a wholesome source for all. Get the details on how to include swordfish in your diet in the next section.

How To Add Swordfish To Your Diet: Popular Recipes

Swordfish is a popular and delicious seafood often featured in Mediterranean cuisine. It has delicate, tender, and moist meat with a hint of sweetness. It is usually grilled, broiled, or pan-seared. Well-cooked swordfish is crisp yet tender. Here are a few recipes you can try.

Popular Recipes With Swordfish

1. Greek Stuffed Swordfish

This hearty swordfish recipe is infused with Mediterranean flavors.

What You Need

• 200 g swordfish steak
• 1 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
• 2 cups of fresh spinach (chopped)
• 1 clove of garlic (minced)
• ¼ cup of feta cheese (crumbled)
• Salt, as needed
• Black pepper (freshly ground), as needed

How To Prepare

1. Set up an outdoor grill on high heat. Lightly oil the grate.
2. Slit the steak to make a pocket.
3. Combine a tablespoon of olive oil and lemon juice in a cup. Brush both sides of the steak with the mixture and keep it aside.
4. Heat a teaspoon of olive oil and garlic in a small skillet over medium heat. Add spinach and wilt it.
5. Remove from heat and stuff the spinach and feta cheese into the pocket.
6. Grill the fish for 8 minutes on each side.
7. Cook until done and season with salt and pepper.

Trivia

Swordfish fishing started all the way back in the second century BC. The Greek historian Polybius described the process in great detail in his texts.

2. Tangy Grilled Swordfish

This tangy swordfish dish will have you coming back for more.

What You Need

• 2 pieces of 200g swordfish steaks
• 2 garlic cloves (thinly sliced)
• ½ teaspoon of saffron threads
• 12 cherry tomatoes (halved)
• ¼ cup of chives
• ½ cup of parsley (coarsely chopped)
• ½ cup of olives (mashed)
• 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil
• Salt, as needed
• Black pepper (freshly ground), as needed

How To Prepare

1. Oil the grill grates and set the heat to medium-high.
2. Coat the steaks with salt and oil.
3. Sauté garlic and saffron on medium-high heat for two minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
4. Grill the steaks for 5 minutes until opaque and firm. Plate them.
5. Toss tomatoes, chives, parsley, olives, and vinegar into a bowl with the reserved garlic mixture, salt, and pepper.
6. Serve with the fish steaks.

3. Swordfish With Mushrooms

This delicious swordfish dish paired with earthy mushrooms will keep your taste buds tingling.

What You Need

• 2 pieces of 200g swordfish steaks
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups of mushrooms (sliced)
•  3 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 green onion (sliced)
• 1 tablespoon of dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon of capers
• 2 tablespoons of parsley (chopped)
• Salt, as needed
• Black pepper (freshly ground), as needed
• 1 tablespoon of lemon zest

How To Prepare

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Brush the swordfish with olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper.
3. Sear the fish for a few minutes on each side over high heat.
4. Remove it from the heat and put it in the oven for 10 minutes.
5. Melt butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Sauté the mushrooms, green onions, lemon juice, and zest with a splash of white wine.
6. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the sauce is dry. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Slice the swordfish and top with mushrooms, capers, and parsley.

Here are some additional tips for cooking swordfish:

• If you are looking for fresh fish, check for color clarity and resistance. Ideally, the meat should be bouncy.
• Ensure to remove the skin before cooking.
• Always thaw frozen swordfish.
• The fish turns opaque as it cooks. Flip it once you see it turning white.

Angela, a blogger, shared her experience about preparing a swordfish dish that she had at a restaurant in her blog. She said, “I enjoyed a roasted swordfish with peppers that was so moist (i).” However, she tweaked the recipe a little. She said, “The lemon slices and potatoes are my additions to what I remember from that restaurant meal.”

The swordfish is a fantastic ingredient to experiment on with different marinades, as its firm texture and mild flavor pair well with a variety of seasonings and spices.

Here are some simple ideas for marinating and seasoning swordfish:

• Mix fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs like thyme or rosemary. Let the swordfish sit in this for 15-30 minutes for a fresh, zesty flavor.
• Combine diced garlic, soy sauce, honey, and a little grated or mashed ginger. This adds a sweet and savory taste to the fish.
• If you like a bit of heat, marinade the swordfish in Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• For a more classic approach, simply season the fish with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil before grilling.
  A drizzle of balsamic vinegar right before serving can bring out a rich, tangy flavor.

Feeling inspired to try these tasty swordfish recipes? Before you do, consider these factors.

Side Effects And Allergies

Swordfish is packed with essential nutrients and health benefits. The concern, however, is that it may also contain high levels of mercury.

Apex predators like swordfish feed on various other fish and thus, accumulate high levels of mercury, especially methylmercury. This toxin may cause cancer and adversely affect the brain (21).

Species of fish that live for long and are on the top of the food chain (apex predator) contain high levels of mercury than other fish. Regular consumption of such fish can cause mercury poisoning. While the body naturally disposes methylmercury, its levels may take over a year to drop significantly. Therefore, the FDA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advise pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid these types of fish (22).

Don’t get alarmed. Most sea fish contain some amount of methylmercury. Instead of avoiding them, limit your consumption. Be sure to consult your doctor.

Infographic: 5 Most Impressive Swordfish Health Benefits

Swordfish offers a delectable taste and provides many essential health benefits. The best way to gain all of its benefits is to either grill or bake this fish. We would like to bring your attention to the top 5 advantages of adding this delicious fish to your diet. Check out the infographic below to read through the top 5 benefits of consuming swordfish.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is swordfish fatty or lean?

Swordfish is a fatty fish loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.

Do swordfish have worms?

Yes, swordfish meat may have worms. Hence, cleaning it properly before consuming is essential.

Can people with diabetes eat swordfish?

Yes, people with diabetes can have swordfish – but only in limited quantities. As per the American Diabetes Association, swordfish has high levels of mercury that may aggravate diabetes.

Is swordfish similar to tuna?

No. Though the taste profile and some of the health benefits of tuna may be similar to that of swordfish, they are different.

Is frozen swordfish as good as fresh?

Yes, frozen swordfish is as good as fresh. However, the fish should be frozen properly to preserve its taste and nutrients.

Illustration: Is Swordfish Healthy? Nutrition Recipes Side Effects And More

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover some tips and techniques for cooking swordfish. Watch this video for simple steps on how to cook this delectable fish for your upcoming meal.

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Lakshmi Tejasvi.MMSc (Clinical Nutrition)

   

Lakshmi Tejasvi has 11 years of experience as a nutritionist. She began her career, working at different hospitals and clinics. She then branched out in 2016 and launched VIBGYOR Nutri, rooted in the conviction that rainbow foods should be the mainstay of our lives.

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Payal Karnik is a senior health and wellness writer and a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach. She is a biotechnology graduate from the University of Mumbai with a keen interest in writing and a natural curiosity for science.

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