Looking to live a healthier lifestyle? Want to boost your brain power, lower your risk of heart disease or strokes, reduce your likelihood of developing an autoimmune disease, improve your sleep, alleviate joint pain, or shed some excess weight you put on over the winter? There is one small change you can make to your diet that could positively impact your overall health – adding fish to your diet on a regular basis.
Here are 10 fantastic reasons why adding two servings of fish a week can help you make some serious inroads on living a healthier life.
#1 Fish Can Lower Your Risk of Heart Attacks or Strokes
In order to live a long and healthy life, we need to protect the heart and keep it strongly ticking without blood clots or arterial issues. To do this the American Journal of Cardiology suggests eating at least two servings of fish weekly. Their recent study showed that, “fish consumption is associated with a lower risk of fatal and total coronary heart disease. Fish is high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids which can reduce inflammation, help protect your heart, and stave off chronic disease.”
#2 Fish Is Nutrient Rich
Fish is basically a superfood. Filled with nutrients like: omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D and B2 (riboflavin), calcium, phosphorus, minerals such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium, fish provides so much of what humans need to eat a well-balanced diet.
#3 Fish Is Brain Food
Several studies have shown that fish can help the brain at two very critical points in human development. Not only does the DHA in fish help developing brains of children, but the nutrients in fish can also help slow the speed of cognitive decline during the senior years.
#4 Fish May Reduce Your Risk of Type 1 Diabetes
According to a study published in the Journal Nutrition and Diabetes, eating fatty fish can actually help prevent autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes. While the studies for this are still in their infancy, it appears that the high levels of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids help prevent the onset of these types of autoimmune diseases.
#5 Fish Can Improve the Quality of Your Sleep
Sleep disturbances are a fairly common ailment in American society. A six month study involving 95 middle aged men has shown that the consumption of salmon three times a week improved the quality of both their sleep and daily functioning.
#6 Fish Can Protect Vision in Old Age
There is growing evidence that a diet rich in fish can cause a 42% reduction in risk for developing macular degeneration. Protecting your vision is a meal or two a week away.
#7 Fish May Lessen or Prevent Depression
Depression is one of the world’s largest mental health issues. For those who eat fish on a regular basis, there seems to be a lower incidence of depression. In addition, eating fish seems to increase the effectiveness of antidepressants.
#8 Fish Has Complexion Benefits
If you are a teen suffering from hormonal acne or an adult with a pimple or two, fish may be able to help. A study published by BioMed Central noted that fish and fish oil is beneficial to clearing skin for people with moderate to severe acne.
#9 Fish Can Alleviate Arthritis
If you suffer from stiff joints or arthritis of any sort, a diet rich in fish can help alleviate your pain. The American College of Rheumatology found that higher consumption of fish actually lowers disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.
#10 Fish Is a Lean Meat That Can Aid in Weight Loss
If you are hoping to shed some unwanted pounds, fish is a lean protein that can help you stay full longer and keep your calorie count down. In addition, research from the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph found that omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in fish, have a positive effect on your metabolism.
What’s your reason for switching to a diet that regularly incorporates a meal or two of fish? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page.
