Seafood is a favorite for many—delicious and high in protein. However, consuming it requires caution. Can dead seafood be eaten? Can cooked seafood be left overnight?
Can dead seafood be eaten?
Generally, it's not advisable to eat dead seafood. Unfresh, dead seafood may harbor microbial toxins that can cause symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting.However, most seafood sold in markets is already dead. Since many species inhabit deep waters, reduced water pressure upon capture causes their death. Thus, dead seafood is generally safe to eat, provided it remains fresh. Avoid consuming dead river fish, especially river crabs, as they become toxic after death.
Can cooked seafood be left overnight?
Generally, it is not recommended to eat leftover seafood. Consuming chilled seafood from the previous night can easily cause illness. This is because certain bacteria present in seafood are not completely eliminated by high temperatures. After cooling, these bacteria can naturally regenerate or reactivate. Eating leftover seafood can easily damage our liver and kidneys. If you cannot finish it all at once, you can freeze it in the freezer. However, it must be reheated before eating later.
Precautions for Eating Seafood
1. When eating seafood, it's acceptable to drink a moderate amount of white wine or rice vinegar. However, avoid pairing seafood with beer, as consuming large quantities of beer with seafood can produce excessive uric acid, potentially triggering gout.
2. Avoid consuming cold drinks, watermelon, or similar foods within one hour after eating seafood. Also, refrain from swimming immediately afterward.
3. Seafood is rich in protein. Individuals prone to protein allergies should avoid excessive consumption.
4. Avoid pairing seafood with tannin-rich fruits like persimmons or grapes. If consumed together, wait at least two hours, as tannins degrade high-quality proteins in seafood, significantly reducing its nutritional value.