1.It Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
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.
2.It Reduces Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Fish is also a dietary essential for your brain. According to a 2016
study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association,
moderate seafood consumption was linked with a lower risk of
Alzheimer’s Disease. The study 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.
Although they noted that seafood consumption was also correlated with
higher levels of mercury in the brain, it was not correlated with
brain neuropathy.
3.It Can Help Lower Symptoms of Depression
This seafood is also amazing for your mental health. The Journal of
Psychiatry & Neuroscience found that fish oil can help improve
symptoms of depression when taken with a selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant. Although there are
reports of fish oil decreasing symptoms of depression on its own,
there still needs to be more research conducted to prove this claim.
4.It’s a Great Source of Vitamin D
According to The National Institutes of Health, fish are high in
vitamin D, and are considered one of the best dietary sources for
this essential nutrient. According to the NIH, vitamin D is
beneficial for calcium absorption for bone health and growth. Because
70% of the U.S. population does not meet the Estimated Average Intake
(EAR) of vitamin D every year, it will certainly be helpful if you
add more of this nutrient-dense food to your diet.
5.It Helps Improve 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.
6.It Can Help You Sleep Better
If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, eating more fish may do the trick. According to a study published by The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, increased consumption of fish improved quality of sleep for most subjects. Researchers suspect that this is due to fish’s high concentration of vitamin D, which aids in sleep, according to the study.
7.It Helps Fight Acne
Whether you have hormonal or adult acne, fish can help alleviate your skin. A study published by BioMed Central noted that fish oil is beneficial to clearing skin for people with moderate to severe acne.
8.It’s Helpful in Alleviating Rheumatoid Arthritis
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, which is chronic inflammation of your joints, eating more fish can help alleviate the swelling and pain. The American College of Rheumatology found that higher consumption of fish actually lowers disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.
9.It’s a Lean Meat
The American Heart Association noted that fish is a great source of protein without the high saturated fat content that many other types of meat have. The AHA recommends eating two servings of fish per week, preferably fatty fish, which have a higher omega-3 fatty acid content.
10.It Helps Lower Cholesterol[slidetitle]
The Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings noted that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil assist in lowering LDL levels (also known as “bad” cholesterol levels) in the body. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish are known to help lower cholesterol-building lipids in the blood, according to the university’s findings.
Fish has a very heart-healthy reputation, and for good reason. A study conducted by the Division of Aging at Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Department of Medicine showed that a moderate consumption of fish will help lower risk of heart failure, due to its high concentration of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.