The Incredible, Edible Octopus

Eating octopus can lower cholesterol. Scientists do not know exactly why this occurs, but they do know there is some substance or group of substances in the protein of the flesh that stops the liver from producing cholesterol and also accelerates the excretion of cholesterol. Japanese scientists publishing in the International Journal of Epidemiology noted that eating not just octopi but also squid or shrimp lowers plasma fibrinogen, the protein that forms a framework for blood clots, at least in middle-aged men. And except for beef liver, no food contains more vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 Content of Commonly Available Foods

(micrograms per serving)

Liver, pan fried, 3-1/2 oz 111.8

Octopus, steamed, 3-1/2 oz 36.0

Beef sweetbreads, fried, 3-1/2 oz 16.6

Pork sweetbreads, fried, 3-1/2 oz 16.4

Salmon, canned, 3-1/2 oz 4.4

Most meats 2.0 to 4.0

Cheese, Mexican, Queso Anejo, 1 oz 1.4

Chocolate ice cream, 1/4 cup 0.3

Tempeh, 3-1/2 oz 0.08

Doughnuts, commercial, 1 0.01

Fruits, Grains, Oils, Vegetables 0

Octopus is inexpensive, nutritious, and easy to cook. Nearly everyone who cooks it will tell you that you have to tenderize it, usually by some bizarre method, such as throwing the frozen specimen against the sink, dipping it into boiling water three times, marinating it in pineapple juice (which will make the flesh slimy) or soy sauce (which will tenderize the octopus, but isn't necessary), or, my personal favorite, covering a thawed or fresh octopus with chopped daikon radish and kneading it like a loaf of bread. None of these methods is necessary. Just cook until it is done, always more than an hour and usually more than two hours.

Despite the fact a fresh octopus escaped his refrigerator as he was writing this article, Robert Rister provides kitchen-tested Octopus Recipes. You may also be interested in Diet Lowering Cholesterol.