Open A Can to Enjoy A Tasty Meal Rich in Omega-3, Protein, and Calcium
Fish such as sardines, mackerel and salmon are among the healthiest animal protein that we can include in our daily diet. Do you love these healthy fish but lack the time, skill, and ‘stomach’ for cleaning, gutting and preparing fish for meals? That’s our situation too.
The alternative is simply to open a can of Ayam Brand™ Sardines in Tomato Sauce or Mackerel in Tomato Sauce range for a convenient and tasty way to get more healthy fish into your diet.
There are often concerns raised about the nutrition content of canned sardines and mackerel, compared to fresh sardines and mackerel, with some people preferring fresh, while others are fans of cans.
This question sparked a research study by researchers Muhammad Ezzudin, R, Lim X.X, Uthumporn, U, Shariffa N.Y and Liew, C.L from the School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia. They analysed and compared the nutritional value and presence of food additives and preservatives in canned Ayam Brand™ Sardines in Tomato Sauce, and canned Ayam Brand™ Mackerel in Tomato Sauce with fresh and home-cooked sardines and mackerel. The findings in their paper Comparison of Nutritional Composition, Chemical Preservatives, and Glutamic Acid Content of Canned Food with Freshly Cooked and Home Cooked Products[1], published in the Food Research Journal are surprising, and positive towards the benefits of canned food.
The conclusion of their study on the nutrition and lack of additives and preservatives in Ayam Brand™ Sardines in Tomato Sauce and Ayam Brand™ Mackerel in Tomato Sauce as “it is safe to consume canned food products which greatly representing the fresh and home-cooked foods without compromising with the nutritional values”.
The study by Muhammad Ezzudin et al., (2021) confirm the wisdom of elders who have been consuming Ayam Brand™ Sardines and Mackerel for decades for the high Omega-3, calcium, and protein. The study findings showed that the canned products had higher content of these beneficial compounds compared to fresh cooked!
Why and How Do Ayam Brand™ Sardines and Mackerel Outperform Fresh?
Quality is at the core of all Ayam Brand™ products. Ayam Brand™ Sardines are exclusively of the Sardinops or Genus Sardina species from the North-Western and Eastern Pacific waters, Southern waters of the Indian Ocean and North-Western Atlantic waters. Mackerel are exclusively of the Scomber species, caught mainly in the North Atlantic Ocean, North-western Pacific and Eastern Pacific waters. Sardines and mackerel living in extreme cold conditions are fattier, juicier and richer in Omega 3. These prime fish are quickly canned using the brand’s innovative and proprietary sterilisation and vacuum technology to seal in the nutrients and flavour. Without trapped air, there is no opportunity for bacterial growth doing away with the need for preservatives.
As with all Ayam Brand™ products, these have no added mono-sodium glutamate MSG, allowing the natural flavor of quality sardines and mackerel to be savored.
Nutritional Benefit – Omega 3
Sardines and mackerel are an excellent source of natural Omega-3. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that we must ingest because the body does not synthesize them but requires them for good health. Among the health benefits of Omega-3 are promoting brain growth, reducing age-related mental decline and Alzheimer’s Disease as well as reducing risk factors for heart diseases. In addition, sardines and mackerel also provide the body with other essential nutrients such as minerals and Vitamins B.
The findings from the study support the quality, convenience, ease and nutritional content of canned sardines and mackerel. Ayam Brand™ Sardines in Tomato Sauce was shown to have 7.1X more omega-3 compared to home-cooked locally caught fresh sardines. Ayam Brand™ Mackerel in Tomato Sauce contains a whopping 7.6X more omega-3 compared to an equivalent serving of home-cooked locally caught mackerel. People who need more omega-3 should consider adding quality canned sardines and mackerel to their diet for the omega-3 benefits.
Nutritional Benefit - Protein
Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage and skin. Hair and nails are comprised mostly of protein. Our bodies use protein to build and repair tissue, oxygenate blood, make the enzymes that aid digestion, make new cell and body chemicals and to regulate our hormones. Getting sufficient protein daily is essential to our health.
Fish including sardines and mackerel are high in protein. From the study, it was found that Ayam Brand™ Sardines in Tomato Sauce had 2.1X more protein compared to home-cooked local sardines, while Ayam Brand™ Mackerel in Tomato Sauce contained 1.5X more protein that an equivalent serving of home-cooked locally caught mackerel. Quality canned sardines and mackerel offer you more protein per serving than fresh.
Nutritional Benefit - Calcium
Our bodies need calcium to build and maintain strong bones. Our heart, muscles and nerves also need calcium to function properly. Some studies suggest that calcium, along with vitamin D, may have benefits beyond bone health: perhaps protecting against cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Findings from the study indicate that Ayam Brand™ Mackerel in Tomato Sauce and Ayam Brand™ Sardines in Tomato Sauce had significantly higher calcium content of 10X to 15X higher compared to fresh and home cooked of locally caught mackerel and sardines. Reach for canned sardines or mackerel for your next calcium boost.
In the study, all Ayam Brand™ canned food samples and their respective cooked food samples were examined for their glutamic acid content to show no MSG was added in canned food samples.
Stretch Your Ringgit
Inflationary pressure is causing the cost of all products to increase. Stretch your ringgit by making informed choices based on the quality and nutritional value of the food products you purchase.
Serving suggestions
Ayam Brand™ Sardines in Tomato Sauce and Mackerel in Tomato Sauce are ready-to-eat straight from the can. They taste great paired with rice, bread, or noodles. Create a balanced meal by adding them to a salad. There are so many options to explore with these healthy, tasty, convenient, MSG and preservative-free products.
Pricing and Availability
Ayam Brand™ Sardines in Tomato Sauce retails from RM4.45 for a small 155g can to RM11.15 for a 425g oval can while Ayam Brand™ Mackerel in Tomato Sauce retails from RM4.45 for a 155g can to RM9.15 for a large 425g tall can.
Ayam Brand™ products are widely available from Aeon, Aeon Big, Giant, Cold Storage, Jaya Grocer, Village Grocer, Bens, Hero, Mydin, TF Value, The Store/Pacific, Econsave, Matahari or visit the Ayam Brand™ Official stores on Shopee and Lazada.
[1] https://www.myfoodresearch.com/uploads/8/4/8/5/84855864/_38__fr-2021-050_muhammad_ezzudin_2.pdf
