How can health benefits of fish improve your diet and overall lifestyle?
Lucky for most, seafood is a delicious and nutritious food that has several health advantages.
There are many different fish health benefits – such as how it enhances brain and heart health, promotes healthy hair and skin, and can prevent some forms of cancer – and there is plenty of evidence to support these advantages too.
Fish is one of the world’s healthiest foods.
It’s abundant in key nutrients like protein and vitamin D, and another important component of fish is omega-3 fatty acids, which are needed for your body and brain’s wellness.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the most significant fish nutritional benefits and explore the science behind each one.
1. Fish is high in protein and low in saturated fat.
Fish products are an excellent source of lean protein, which is crucial for maintaining and rebuilding muscle structure.
It often has very little saturated fat which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as iodine, high-quality protein, and several other vitamins and minerals that most people’s diets are typically deficient in.
Fish is a lean white meat that is full of nutrients and also contains omega-3 fatty acids.
Pro Tip: Omega-3 fatty acids along with vitamins A and B are essential nutrients found in fish products for maintaining the health of your brain, eyes, and immune system.
2. Fish products are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Fish and some other kinds of seafood are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3s are a family of essential fatty acids that provide several health benefits, and since your body cannot produce them on its own, you must obtain them from your diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, they can help protect you against heart disease, and they can help to improve cognitive development in children.
Pro Tip: Eating fatty fish (or taking omega-3 supplements manufactured from microalgae) at least once or twice a week is recommended to satisfy your omega-3 needs.
3. Fish and seafood can improve heart health.
As mentioned above, one of the biggest nutritional benefits of fish and seafood is that these products contain omega-3 fatty acids which our bodies cannot produce on their own.
Heart attacks and strokes are two of the world’s leading causes of early mortality; therefore, omega-3s in fish products can be extremely valuable to your heart’s health since they can reduce blood pressure and enhance general cardiovascular health.
Pro Tip: Research has shown that eating fish at least once a week lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially fatty types of fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
4. Fish products can improve brain function and cognitive development in children.
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that are abundant in fish products.
Studies have shown that not only are EPA and DHA important for proper fetal development but they are also crucial to the development and functioning of the brain at every stage of life.
In light of the high number of benefits, children should be encouraged to eat fish for optimal growth and development.
Pro Tip: Studies have shown a 24% reduction in the risk of childhood asthma in those whose diets consistently include fish products and other seafood.
5. Fish in one’s diet can help to prevent depression and anxiety.
Although depression isn’t discussed nearly as often as heart disease is, it remains one of the biggest health problems in the world.
As previously mentioned, fish products have many nutritional health benefits, including omega-3 fatty acids which have proven to be an effective part of depression treatment.
According to several controlled studies, omega-3 fatty acids may help fight depression and greatly boost the efficacy of antidepressant drugs.
Pro Tip: The American Psychiatric Association endorses omega-3s as a useful component of depression treatment, recommending 2-3 servings of fish per week to prevent decline.
6. Fish can improve eye health and vision.
Omega-3s have proven to help enhance eyesight and eye health, as well as vitamins A and D which many people are often deficient in.
According to research, these fish health benefits are due to the fact that the brain and eyes are highly concentrated in omega-3 fatty acids and therefore, they greatly depend on them to be healthy and operate properly.
One of the best sources of these healthy fats and vitamins is salmon.
Pro Tip: For your retinas to function properly, you need two different kinds of omega-3 fatty acids: DHA and EPA. Both can be found in salmon and can protect against glaucoma.
7. Fish nutrients can help to prevent certain types of cancer.
Cancer-fighting foods include apples, berries, and fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and shellfish may have cancer-fighting properties; therefore, eating seafood may be associated with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer.
Indeed, a study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate more fish had a decreased risk of developing digestive malignancies than those who consumed less fish.
Pro Tip: In addition to omega-3 fatty acids, fish can also contain high levels of vitamin D and selenium, both of which may help prevent the growth of some cancers.
8. Fish benefits include improved joint health and a reduced risk of arthritis.
According to research, including seafood in your diet can improve joint health and reduce inflammation, lessening your likelihood of developing arthritis.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, eating more fish products will also assist to lower swelling and pain since omega-3 fatty acids greatly improve joint lubrication and aid to lessen pain and inflammation for a generally healthier body.
Pro Tip: Morning stiffness, painful or inflamed joints, and joint discomfort can all be reduced by consuming omega-3s. They can also aid in boosting blood flow when exercising.
9. Fish nutrients can boost collagen and prevent acne.
Seafood is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help to improve the overall health of your skin.
Salmon, mackerel, and herring are all excellent sources for maintaining healthy skin as they are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, but fish skin is also surprisingly a fantastic source of collagen.
Collagen improves skin moisture, elasticity and hydration, and fish-based collagen may have even more health benefits than land-based (animal) collagen.
Pro Tip: Eating fish skin is a great source of both collagen and vitamin E which contribute to healthy human skin and the prevention of wrinkles.
10. Fish in one’s diet can improve sleep quality.
If you struggle to fall asleep or get a good night’s rest, adding more fish products to your diet may help to improve your sleep quality.
Fatty fish is an excellent source of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, two nutrients that help regulate serotonin; and since sleeping and waking cycles are mostly established by serotonin, research suggests that fatty fish may help to improve your sleeping patterns.
Pro Tip: The top five most fatty fish you can consume are salmon, herring, anchovies, sardines, and trout. Visit Our Online Shop Now!
11. Fish products can improve kidney health.
Consuming seafood may enhance kidney health and lower the risk of renal disease; this is because fish can lower the risk of albuminuria (protein in the urine) and minimise kidney damage in persons with diabetes.
According to research, increased kidney function and a modestly decreased risk of chronic renal disease are both linked to higher amounts of the omega-3 fatty acids present in seafood.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for kidney-friendly fish to add to your renal diet, we recommend salmon, tuna, anchovies, and shellfish like shrimp.
12. Fish in one’s diet can help with weight loss and management.
Fish products are high in protein and low in saturated fat, making them a super valuable part of successful weight loss and management over time.
White flesh fish has an impressive protein content and influence on serotonin, but despite salmon’s relatively high calorie and fat content, studies suggest that this oily fish may be one of the best for weight loss.
Healthy fats boost fat oxidation and metabolic rate increases during exercise and rest.
Pro Tip: Lean proteins, such as those found in fish, provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to maintain an effective metabolism.
13. Fish can improve exercise performance and endurance.
Fish is a great source of nutrients that can help athletes recuperate from exertion and promote muscular growth.
According to a Sports Medicine study, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids (which are found in abundance in the majority of fatty fish such as salmon and herring) are crucial for muscle regeneration and recovery after an intense workout.
Fish is also a great source of lean protein and provides a whole host of nutrients.
Pro Tip: Eat fish before your workout! Fish oil improves blood flow, which in turn helps the body supply oxygen to the lungs during exercise and improves athletic performance.
14. Fish products can improve bone health.
Fish and other seafood are rich in vitamins and minerals that are important for maintaining healthy bones, particularly vitamin D and calcium.
Vitamin D aids calcium absorption and omega-3 fatty acids further benefit bone strength and bone density.
Salmon and other fatty fish are some of the best options, but a fish oil supplement may also be worth a shot as it has been found to slow down bone density loss in women and may prevent osteoporosis.
Pro Tip: When it comes to fish products, fantastic sources of calcium include fish where you can actually eat the bones, such as sardines and pilchards.
15. Fish products can also improve mental health.
Fish is a vitally important ‘functional food’ that can reduce the risk of mental illnesses.
Not only is it rich in omega-3 fatty acids, but it is also a great source of magnesium – an essential brain nutrient that protects the brain from neurotoxins and is required for a well-functioning nervous system.
A healthy body promotes a healthy mind, and since the key to health is the right nutrition, maintaining fish in your diet is a great place to start.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure of ways to include fish in your diet, browse through our wide range of recipes!
16. Fish in one’s diet can benefit pregnancy and fetal development.
Pregnant women can benefit greatly from eating fish, both for the growth of the fetus and for the health of the mother.
Although optimal DHA levels are vital for everyone, they are especially critical for human brain development (which grows rapidly during the late stage of fetal development).
Therefore, pregnant women are advised to consume enough omega-3 fatty acids for the benefit of their babies, especially during the final trimester.
Pro Tip: Around 14 billion cells make up the grey matter of the brain, and sufficient DHA ensures that the membranes of these nerve cells are formed in the best possible way.
17. Fish can help reduce the risk of certain neurological disorders.
Seafood contains vitamins and omega-3 fa