For hundreds of years, across cultures and around the globe, fish has been touted as one of the healthiest food choices on the planet. Why is that? What is it that makes fish so good for our overall health including our brain, heart, mind, vision, joints, and mood? Let’s explore a few of these areas where fish can help improve our overall health.
Fish packs a nutritional punch that not many other foods can even come near claiming to do. In fact, many nutrition experts call fish a “superfood.” What is it about this simple fare that can help strengthen the heart, help in early brain development, improve vision and eye health, and protect the mind from dementia?
Good For Your Heart
According to a review published in the American Journal of Cardiology, 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. Those omega-3 fatty acids are the key to much of the reason why fish is such a powerful food especially for the heart!
Brain Food
The Journal of the American Medical Association published in a 2016 report that fish is essential for the strength and continued development of the brain. The report found that moderate seafood consumption was linked with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. The study also found that those who consume fish regularly had more grey brain matter, which reduces brain shrinkage and deterioration that can lead to brain function complications.
In addition to the positive impact fish can have on the brains of older adults, fish can also help with early brain development not only while a child is in utero, but also throughout the childhood years. There are 44 scientific studies since 2000 that collectively show the importance of consuming seafood during pregnancy to support the brain development of their babies as well as the need for children to consume more fish and shellfish in their early years to support healthy brain development.
Improves Vision and Eye Health
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to improving vision and eye health. This is because the brain and eyes are heavily concentrated in omega-3 fatty acids and need them to maintain their health and function, according to the AHRQ’s findings. Fish is one of the best sources of these good fats.
Understanding why fish is such an important part of our overall diet is a key component to maintaining a healthy heart, mind, and body. If you are looking for easy ways to add fish to your menu, check out our Facebook page or find some great retail fish options on our website.
