Salmon vs Snapper - Health impact and Nutrition Comparison

Summary

Salmon is richer in B complex vitamins, vitamins A, E, and D. It is also richer in selenium, choline, phosphorus, and omega-3 fats. In comparison, snapper is a leaner fish with less fat and fewer calories. Salmon is packed with nutrients and has several more positive health impacts. 

Introduction

This article compares two types of fish; snapper vs. salmon. The snapper fish is a family of fish that have 113 different species. One of the most famous is the red snapper, the most sought-after type of snapper. It has a mild sweet flavor, and it is a lean fish.

In comparison, we have salmon fish containing different species like the chinook, coho, chum, pink, and sockeye. Salmon is a fattier fish that has a rich and oily taste.

In this article, we will compare their nutritional content and health impacts.

Nutritional content comparison

This section will compare 100g of each fish in its raw state.

Calories

Salmon is higher in calories by 1.5 times. Snapper contains 100 calories, and salmon contains 150 calories.

Carbs

The carb content of both fish is negligible.

Fats

Salmon contains 9.5 times more fat compared to snapper. Snapper is low-fat lean fish. Salmon contains about 12.3g of fats. Salmon is richer in unsaturated fats.

Salmon is richer in Omega-3 fats.

Protein

The protein content of both fish is similar. They are rich in proteins, nearly 20g per 100g.

Minerals

Salmon is richer in selenium, phosphorus, and choline. Snapper is also a good source of selenium and phosphorus, comparatively salmon is richer.

Below we can visualize their mineral distributions.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

Salmon

3

:

5

Snapper

Contains more Iron +41.7%

Contains more Phosphorus +25.4%

Contains more Calcium +166.7%

Contains more Magnesium +23.3%

Contains more Potassium +35.9%

Equal in Sodium - 57

Equal in Zinc - 0.44

Equal in Copper - 0.046

Salmon

Snapper

Contains more Iron +41.7%

Contains more Phosphorus +25.4%

Contains more Calcium +166.7%

Contains more Magnesium +23.3%

Contains more Potassium +35.9%

Equal in Sodium - 57

Equal in Zinc - 0.44

Equal in Copper - 0.046

Vitamins

Salmon is richer in all vitamins compared to snapper. Salmon is richer in B complex vitamins, D, A, and E. 

Below we can visualize their vitamin distributions.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

Salmon

11

:

1

Snapper

Contains more Vitamin A +100%

Contains more Vitamin C +131.3%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +541.5%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +3275%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +2225.1%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +69.5%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +40.7%

Contains more Folate +466.7%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +25%

Salmon

Snapper

Contains more Vitamin A +100%

Contains more Vitamin C +131.3%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +541.5%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +3275%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +2225.1%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +69.5%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +40.7%

Contains more Folate +466.7%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +25%

Health impacts

We will focus on the different health impacts each fish provides.

Omega-3 benefits

Salmon is richer in omega-3 fats and has several positive health impacts on overall health. Omega-3 fats are important to be added to our diets as they positively affect our nervous system and cardiovascular system by decreasing levels of triglycerides. (1)(2)(3)(4)

You can also read about Trout vs. Salmon. They are rich in omega-3 fats and are both fatty fish. However, it is important to explore their differences. 

Muscle building

Although snapper is a leaner fish, intuitively, people would tend to go for snapper fish because it's a leaner fish. However, salmon is packed with B complex vitamins, vitamins A, E, and D, and minerals, providing an additional health impact in athletic dietary options. (5)

Anemia

Salmon is richer in iron and vitamin B12, decreasing iron deficiency and pernicious anemia risks. (6)(7)

Vitamin D

Salmon is a fish that is richer in vitamin D. In turn, vitamin D has several benefits, such as maintaining normal immune, bone health, and calcium levels. In addition, salmon is a good option to be consumed in countries with low sun exposure. (8)

Choline

Choline is essential for the homeostasis of homocysteine and acetylcholine. Consumption of bioavailable choline is highly important; in this case, salmon fish is a rich source of choline. (9)

Selenium

Selenium is a mineral that has importance in maintaining normal immunity and cognitive performance. In addition, selenium intake is linked with decreased risks of autoimmune thyroid diseases and lower viral urinary tract infections in males and females. (10)

References

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15366399/ 
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29350557/ 
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31422671/ 
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30601174/ 
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4422265/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28189173/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12643357/
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30335299/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32993309/
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22381456/