Octopus dofleini (genus Enteroctopus) are the octopus species that are found in rocky areas, kelp forests, and caves in the Pacific Ocean. It could be identified as reddish-brown or dark red skin. They have eight arms of 6 feet with each arm having 280 suckers. The center of the arms consists of a beak and radula which is a toothed tongue. The body is compressible and 9.6 m in radius. It is cool-blooded or poikilothermic having three hearts and blue blood. The mantle is spherical that consists of the major organs of this animal. Octopus is able to change the skin’s color by adapting to the environment due to the presence of tiny pigments called chromatophores. It prefers cold and oxygenated water. They hunt shrimp, scallops, crabs, clams, moon snails, abalones, small octopus, flatfish, rockfish, and sculpins for food. It is the prey for seals, dogfish sharks, sea otters, man, lingcod, sea lions, seals, sea otters, larger octopuses, and fish. It has a lifespan of 4 to 5 years. Other common names of Octopus dofleini are North Pacific giant octopus, Giant Pacific octopus, Giant octopus, Poulpe géant, and Pulpo Gigante.

History

It is usually found in the Pacific Ocean. It was recorded in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands and Baja California. It is extended in the Northeast of Japan. The name octopus was kept by Ancient Greeks which means eight feet. It was illustrated on Minoan and Cretan coins and painted on jars in Mycenaenera. Around 300 million years ago, the ancestors of octopuses were on Carboniferous seas. The oldest fossil of octopus was found in Chicago of Field Museum. It is distributed to the coastal North Pacific in Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, British Columbia, Northern Japan, Russia, and Korea.

Health Benefits of Octopus

Octopus does not have a hard shell and belongs to the mollusk family which also includes oysters, mussels, clams, nautilus, and squid. It is vital in Mediterranean dishes and regarded as delicacies. It has a high content of Omega-3 fatty acids that helps to lower the chances of stroke? and heart attack?. It promotes cardiovascular health and stimulates cognitive health. It has a low content of saturated fat which assists in losing weight.

1. Treats cancer

The deficiency of Vitamin B12 is the cause of breast cancer. It could be prevented by the intake of food rich in vitamin B12. (1)

2. Formation of hemoglobin

Iron is vital for hemoglobin formation. It helps to provide the shade of red to the blood. It assists to transport oxygen to the cells of the body. As human beings lose blood in injuries, extra hemoglobin is essential. During menstruation, women lose blood so they have high chances to suffer from anemia?. (2) (3)

3. Supports growth

Copper is vital for the growth of the body. It helps to prevent nervous, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems. The deficiency of copper obstructs the oxygenation of red blood cells. (4)

4. Hair benefits

Protein is essential to maintain healthy hair and also to prevent damages. The study shows that protein has a vital role in the growth of hair.  Due to these benefits, it is used for the production of conditioners. (5) (6)

5. Kidney ailments

Vitamin B6 controls the fat level found in the human heart. That helps to prevent various cardiac problems. It also prevents the formation of kidney stones and maintains the good shape of kidneys?. (7)

6. Brain health

Phosphorus is vital for the cells of the brain as well as its functions. An adequate amount of phosphorus enhances brain functions and cognitive development. The deficiency of phosphorus increases the chances of cognitive malfunction as well as dementia?. (8)

7. Source of energy

Niacin assists in the functions of converting the carbohydrate, proteins, and fats into energy. (9)

8. Reduce stress

Vitamin B5 helps to treat mental ailments such as depression, anxiety, and stress. It stimulates the mind’s fitness and regulates hormones that cause these conditions. (10)

9. Lowers migraine

The supplements of magnesium help to lower the attacks and severity of migraine along with the reduction of recurrence?. (11)

10. Balance pressure

It is essential to maintain balance in blood pressure. It lowers the chances of hypertension? and heart ailments. It has vasodilator properties which provide relief from the tension of blood vessels. (12)

Precautions                                                                                                 

• One should be careful while eating seafood.
• Doctor’s consultancy is needed for people with health problems.

How to Eat         

• It is dressed in lemon, olive oil, capers, minced garlic, and herbs.
• It is grilled as well as poached.

Other Facts        

• The World record made by Octopus dofleini weighs 136 kg (300 lb) having an arm span of 9.8 m (32 ft).
• The beak is the hardest part of octopus.
• The color of octopus blood is green or blue.
• It is considered as intelligent invertebrates.
• They are also called chameleons of the sea as they are able to change the skin’s color and texture.
• The beak is made up of keratin which also forms fingernails.
• About 90%, are made of muscle.
• Giant Pacific Octopus is the largest octopus in the world.
• They have three hearts.
• They have the ability to regrow their arms.
• One sucker of Giant Pacific Octopus can lift 35 pounds (16 kilograms) of weight.
• In Korea, Octopus is eaten alive.
• It has got great eyesight as well as a sense of touch.

Precautions 

• The consumption of sea fish if one is trying to reduce inflammatory diseases such as heart disease.
• Farmed ones contain arsenic that leads to arsenic poisoning.
• Seafood should be cooked safely in order to prevent foodborne illness.
• Pregnant women, young children, older adults, people having lower stomach acid and compromised immune systems (HIV/AIDS, liver? disease, cancer, diabetes?, gastrointestinal disorders, people taking steroids, chemotherapy?, or immune system) are prone to higher risk.
• It might be contaminated with bacteria such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and other bacteria relate to land use, sewage discharges, runoff, etc. These microorganisms occur naturally in warm coastal waters which could cause even death or serious illness in individuals who are at higher risk.
• Listeria monocytogenes could cause a serious foodborne illness known as listeriosis.
• The virus Hepatitis? A could survive in light cooking. So one should consume it after being properly cooked.
• Fish could have toxins that could cause illness such as ciguatoxin and scombrotoxin, or histamine poisoning.
• Sea fish is related to Scombrotoxin (histamine) which develops when fish is not kept cold enough. The symptoms develop quickly and also disappear completely within 24 hours.
• The flesh of tropical marine fishes might cause ciguatera poisoning experiencing gastrointestinal maladies that could last for several days, weakness? in arms and legs, and reversal inability to differentiate between cold and hot. The symptoms could persist for weeks.
• Farmed seafood results in to increase in inflammation leading to weight gain, arthritis?, and heart diseases.
• The imbalance ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 causes heart disease and hypertension.
• Seafood and fish in farms have polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organophosphorus (OPs), organochlorine (OC), trifluralin pesticides, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) causing diseases or even death.
• The seafood has a high content of mercury, which may lead to mercury toxicity.
• Consume it in moderate amounts. So consume it with caution or Avoid consuming it raw.
• Some people might get allergic reactions. So avoid it.
• It has a high chance of contamination.
• One should limit its intake.
• Consult the doctor by pregnant women and children before consuming it. Children and pregnant women should avoid it because the high content of mercury might cause a negative impact on the development of the nervous system of a fetus.

References