What is the difference between albacore and yellowfin tuna?

In this brief article, we are going to answer the question,”What is the difference between albacore and yellowfin tuna?”, and discuss what albacore and yellowfin tuna are. We will also discuss the nutritional profile and health benefits of albacore and yellowfin tuna.

What is the difference between albacore and yellowfin tuna?

The difference between albacore and yellowfin tuna is that, albacore has an exquisite flavour, a white tone with a smooth texture, whereas, yellowfin tuna has a reddish colour with a not so fine texture but retains its pleasant flavour. Albacore is smaller in size than yellowfin tuna. Albacore is also higher in its oil content than yellowfin tuna.

What is albacore?

Albacore is a type of fish with a metallic blue colour on the back with a silver belly and silver sides. The metallic blue and silver are separated by an iridescent blue band.

Fishing of the albacore is done during summers by selective and environment friendly methods. The fish is sold under the name” Bonito del Norte White tuna”. The processed packaging of this type of fish is in the form of canned goods or in glass jars. 

What is the nutritional profile of albacore?

Albacore is high in calories with 140 calories per 100 grams. It contains about 6% fat, mostly polyunsaturated (also known as omega-3 fatty acids) and also contains fat soluble vitamins, Vitamin A and vitamin D and water soluble vitamins such as niacin and B12. Albacore also contains significant amounts of folic acid and phosphorus, magnesium and iodine.

What are the health benefits of albacore?

Albacore can be termed as a superfood as they are very rich in more than one nutrient, and thus they are very costly. Albacore is beneficial as a healthy source of energy, which would be very beneficial to give to patients of malnutrition and those who are heavily underweight. 

The rich amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids are beneficial for patients of heart disease, and at the same time to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The presence of omega-3 also reduces the levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. 

Albacore is a rich source of selenium which when paired with proteins can create products that can act as anti–oxidant reducing the risk of infection and inflammation and regulating the function of thyroid hormones. The amounts of iodine in albacore contribute to reducing the risk of iodine deficiency.

Albacore also contains proteins, which is very beneficial in growth and repair of tissues. The proteins are also used for the production of enzymes for the contraction of muscles, and also to be used as fuel in the absence of carbohydrates. 

What is yellowfin tuna?

Yellowfin tuna is atype of fish that has a fusiform body with a small head and small eyes, with long second dorsal and anal fins. 

Yellowfin tuna is found in open water of tropical and subtropical regions in warm habitats. They have a strong taste, and have a dry, firm, pale pink flesh.

What is the nutritional profile of yellowfin tuna?

 A 3 oz ( almost 60 grams) of yellowfin tuna has about 93 calories, 21 gram proteins, 0.42 gram fat, with 0.13 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 33 mg cholesterol, and no carbohydrates, fats or sugars. It is high in phosphorus (236 mg) and potassium (375 mg), and contains trace levels of calcium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc.

Yellowfin tuna contains significant levels of niacin, B-6, B-12, and fat soluble vitamins, A,D and E.

What are the health benefits of yellowfin tuna?

Yellowfin tuna can be added as a healthy food to a diet as a source of phosphorus, potassium and most fat and water soluble vitamins as described above. 

The presences of these vitamins and minerals are beneficial in a wide range, from bone health, bone mineral density, proper digestion and absorption of fats, reduced risk of chronic diseases, for normal metabolic processes, and for normal functioning of cells.

 The low calories in yellowfin tuna and low cholesterol is also useful for patients with high cholesterol levels and patients who are obese. 

Other FAQs about Tuna that you may be interested in.

How much tuna is safe for cats?

How to know if tuna is spoiled

Can you freeze canned tuna?

Can you freeze tuna steaks?

Conclusion

In this brief article, we answered the question,”What is the difference between albacore and yellowfin tuna?”, and discussed what albacore and yellowfin tuna are. We also discussed the nutritional profile and health benefits of albacore and yellowfin tuna.

References

https://www.miniers.com/health_wellness/articles/353/turn-up-your-health-with-albacore-tuna#:~:text=And%20albacore%20tuna%20is%20a,atherosclerotic%20plaques%20and%20halt%20arrhythmias.
https://www.livestrong.com/article/527618-nutrition-of-yellow-fin-tuna/