The health benefits of fish are many. You can get plenty of protein, essential fats, vitamins and minerals from eating fish. However, eating seafood has its downside as well. There is mercury found in seafood that can cause damage to your brain and other organs if you ingest too much. Learn what the health benefits of fish are and how eating seafood can benefit your brain and overall well being.
Why Consider Eating Fish?
Eating fish on a regular basis can provide your body with omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important role in maintaining a healthy brain. The brain cells benefit from omega-3 fatty acids, too. While most people assume that oily fish are the healthiest, research shows that choosing salmon as a favorite meal can be beneficial. This food is a rich source of both EPA and DHA, two essential fatty acids that are key to brain function.
The health benefits of fish may also include high fiber content. Many kinds of fish are naturally high in fiber, so including this food in your diet can help you keep regular bowel movements. If you tend to suffer from constipation, this can help you to improve your condition. Additionally, another benefit of this fish is that it contains essential B vitamins, which are vital to good eye sight.
One of the main health benefits of fish is that it provides you with protein, something that you often don’t get enough of. Protein is essential in building muscle. Fish such as tuna and mackerel contain high amounts of protein. However, you should choose a variety of different kinds of fish to ensure that you get the right amount of protein. Tuna and mackerel are considering the healthiest, but you may want to choose halibut, salmon, or sardines instead. Sardines contain a high amount of sodium, which is not good for your body.
Further Overall Health Benefits
Other health benefits of fish include those that relate to the thyroid and the kidneys. For example, tuna is a great source of iodine, which can lead to lower risk of hyperthyroidism and goiter. Mackerel are also a good choice for sodium, as one serving of mackerel contains approximately half of the sodium found in one serving of canned tuna. In addition to these, studies have shown that fish containing omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for lowering cholesterol, as well as reducing the chances of heart disease and arthritis.
Tuna and mackerel may be a nutritious choice, but you should be careful about increasing your fish intake, because this can increase your daily consumption of mercury. This is especially true of large fish such as tuna, swordfish, and albacore tuna. In fact, studies have shown that individuals who ate at least 50 servings of fish per year were less likely to have high levels of mercury in their blood. Still, you should be cautious about adding too much fish to your diet, as any extra mercury can find its way into other food types and cause further health problems.
