Octopus as food
People of some cultures eat octopus. The arms and sometimes other body parts are prepared in various ways, often varying by species and/or geography.
Octopuses are sometimes eaten or prepared alive, a practice that is controversial due to scientific evidence that octopuses experience pain.
Nutritional value[edit]
According to the USDA Nutrient Database (2007), cooked octopus contains about 56 kilocalories (Calories) per 100 grams, and is a source of vitamin B3, B12, potassium, phosphorus, and selenium.[9]
Health Risk[edit]
When eating octopus, it is crucial to recognize that consuming mussel tissue carries a very low danger to human health since it contains negligible amounts of metals. Consuming the edible organs of an octopus might possibly have negative effects on health, including the chance of developing renal disease, cancer, and other dangerous illnesses. It is recommended to consider these variables while including octopus into one's diet.[10]
Octopus heads are high in selenium and are a risk for cadmium poisoning, even in small amounts.[11] In 2010, over 29 mg of cadmium—14 times higher than the permitted level—was found in the heads of octopus imported to South Korea from China.[12]
