Five Reasons Why You Need To Be Eating More Fish
Since the dawn of time, nature has provided a bountiful supply of fresh, delicious fish. The act of catching, preparing, and consuming fish remains central to the cultural practices and identity of peoples across the globe. Smoked, poached, baked, sautéed or raw, fish exists as a vital source of nutrition, offering a wealth of benefits to both humankind and the planet.
So, why not take this opportunity to start 2020 on a health-conscious note by ringing in the new year with a round-up of ‘Five Reasons You Should Be Eating More Fish’…
1. To Maintain a Balanced Diet
The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times a week – lucky for us, then, it’s so delicious! Packed with omega-3, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium, fish is a rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals that aid in fighting inflammatory and autoimmune conditions affecting your joints and skin, such as arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus.
2. To Promote Heart Health
The high-quality protein and vitamins contained within fish lower blood pressure and can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Salmon, lake trout, mackerel, herring, tuna, sardines, and oysters all represent a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to the maintenance of a healthy heart.
3. To Improve Mental Wellness
Eating more fish aids healthy brain function and may decrease the risk of developing ADHD, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids boost mental visual-motor coordination, reaction speed, memory and recall, and prevent cognitive decline among individuals with coronary artery disease, which increases the risk of dementia.
4. To Keep Skin Looking Younger
The health benefits of a fish-rich diet also extend to your body’s outward appearance. Omega-3 helps reduce outbreaks of redness and acne while keeping skin thick, supple, moisturized and youthful in appearance. Likewise, the high antioxidant content of Vitamin E found in fatty fish also protects your skin from free radicals and harmful UV sunlight.
5. Sustainability
With meat-based food production responsible for more than 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions, not only will eating more fish help you maintain your health; it will also mitigate the effects of climate change. On average, seafood – which requires no farmland or livestock care – leaves a smaller carbon footprint than other animal proteins and, therefore, represents a more sustainable dietary choice with reduced environmental impacts.
So, there you have it: our five reasons you need to be eating more fish!
Cheers to a new year, new decade and a healthier you!
#eatgoodfeelgood
