Health Benefits of Eating Fish

Eating plenty of fish on a regular basis can help protect you from a range of serious diseases.  Researchers worldwide have discovered that eating fish regularly - one or two servings weekly - may reduce the risk of diseases ranging from childhood asthma to prostate cancer. 

Fish is low in fat, high in protein and an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids. Fish is a superfood. Packed with vitamins and minerals, and a major source of omega-3 fatty acids, fish can help to protect against a range of diseases, from cancer to heart disease, depression to arthritis.

Benefits of Eating Fish

Heart disease

No wonder the Government wants us all to eat more, with the Food Standards Agency recommending at least two portions a week of fresh, frozen, or tinned seafood (one of them of oily fish). The British Heart Foundation says eating oily fish can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve your chances of survival following a heart attack. Fish does this by lowering levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood - raised levels are associated with heart disease. Fish oils also appear to help reduce blood clotting and abnormal heart rhythms after a heart attack.

Alzheimer's

Polyunsaturated fatty acids found in many fish may prevent damage to brain cells. Eating fish can also reduce the risk of high blood pressure, which is linked with dementia. A French study of 2000 people showed that those who ate seafood at least once a week had a significantly lower risk of dementia over a seven-year period than those who didn't.

Cancer

A Swedish study of 6000 men over a 30-year period showed that those who didn't eat any fish had between double and treble the risk of developing prostate cancer, compared to those who ate moderate or large amounts. Shellfish, such as crab and lobster, also contains selenium, thought to have cancer-fighting properties.

Depression

It's been reported that fish can help to ease depression. Again, it's down to omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to raise levels of the brain chemical serotonin.

Arthritis

Population groups that eat a lot of fish - Inuits in Greenland, for example - have low rates of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Studies have also shown fish oils to be useful in relieving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Skin

According to dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, author of The Perricone Prescription, a salmon-packed diet can help smooth out age lines.

Inflammatory conditions 

Regular fish consumption may relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and autoimmune disease. There is also evidence to suggest that omega-3 could help to slow the progression of inflammatory bowel disease in some sufferers.

Prematurity 

Eating fish during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of delivering a premature baby.

While fish is a very healthy option and has many benefits, fish with higher mercury levels should be avoided, especially during pregnancy. Mercury can affect the nervous system, including symptoms such as numb or tingling fingers, lips and toes; developmental delays in walking and talking in children; muscle and joint pain and increased risk of heart attack. Fish to avoid during pregnancy and nursing include marlin, gemfish, swordfish, ray and blue fin tuna.

Weight Loss

With the low fat content and high protein source, fish makes the perfect food to add to your weight loss meals. It is filled with vitamins like riboflavin (B2) which helps you metabolize amino acids, fatty acids and carbohydrates.