We all know how good seafood tastes and for most of us, that is more than enough to keep us coming back for more. However, aside from it’s palate-pleasing qualities, there are also a wide range of health benefits that come along from eating fresh seafood. In fact, the benefits that come along with eating fresh and healthy seafood are so significant that the American Heart Association recommends eating seafood- based meals AT LEAST twice a week. This week’s post will break down just a few of the many health-related benefits of consuming our favorite food group:
Fresh fish is good for your heart. Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are packed-full of omega-3s, a nutrient that has proven to reduce the instances of heart disease. In fact, Omega-3s are so effective at both protecting the heart from disease AND lowering blood cholesterol levels that eating fish rich in them has shown to reduce the instances of heart attacks as much as 36%!
Omega-3s also reduce inflammation and the risk for blood clots. This can dramatically reduce the risk for strokes. More generally, seafood’s anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate symptoms associated with arthritis and other health disorders associated with inflammation.
Fresh fish = healthy eyes. Along with keeping your joints well-oiled and pain-free, fish oil has also been linked to healthy, clear eyes.
Essential nutrients. Seafood is rich in Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid along with other key nutrients such as potassium, selenium, zinc and iodine. Vitamin B12 and Foilc Acid help fight off the fatigue associated with anemia and the other nutrients are all important in keeping the body running smoothly.
Glowing skin. The proteins in fish are vital for protein synthesis, which are needed to help your skin strong, healthy and glowing.
Fish=brain food. The human brain is almost 60% fat, with much of this being omega-3 fat. Regularly consuming seafood has been shown to fight the onset of dementia and keep the memory intact over the long-term.
In addition, regularly consuming seafood has been shown to support infant development in expectant mothers, prevent depression, lower blood cholesterol levels, and prevent certain forms of cancer.
Recently, the EPA has also backed off it’s warnings regarding mercury content and seafood, especially locally caught seafood. Research is showing that enormous amounts of top-of-the-food-chain seafood would have to be consumed over long periods of time in order to acquire negative side-effects from mercury consumption.
In sum, the facts all point to eating more seafood, more of the time. Your health will thank you for it!
