Why Eating Fish Can Keep You Healthy
Why is fish good for you? If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, you might not be able to indulge in this type of food, but the fact is that it contains heaps of nutrients that can make a difference when it comes to keeping your health on par. It is packed with essential nutrients ranging from omega-3 fatty acids to proteins and a lot of other things.
Let’s look at some of the most critical health benefits that you’ll get by eating fish twice a week.
What is it about Omega-3?
Omega-3 fatty acids provide a number of benefits ranging from helping maintain your cardiovascular health to reducing tissue inflammation. Some studies have linked these fatty acids to the improvement of symptoms of arthritis, but also to regulating blood clotting, as well as vessel constriction.
Your brain is composed of fats, and that’s why they are essential if you want to avoid mishaps like depression or mental decline. Some experts suggest that eating fish regularly, especially species such as salmon, which have a high content in omega-3, can even prevent diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s included.
What other species are rich in omega-3? Several of those that you should consume twice a week range from mackerel and sardines to anchovies, sablefish, tuna, as well as rainbow trout and wild salmon from Alaska.
Why does eating fish make you a happier person?
Depression is now one of the world’s most impactful health problems. Some statistics suggest that there are over nineteen million people living in the United States with this condition right now. The fatty acids we were mentioning previously can fight against depression and can even increase the effectiveness of some types of antidepressant medications.
That doesn’t mean that you should overdo it. Many doctors recommend consuming fish only twice a week, and that’s because it can also expose you to some risks. Not all fish are pure from a microbiological standpoint, so you definitely have to cook them properly. Any cooking method you might want to use, whether it’s bass, salmon, or dogfish recipes, needs to involve using the right temperature.
Vitamin D
It’s getting more and more challenging these days to soak up some vitamin D just from being exposed to the sun, and that’s because the risk of developing skin cancer is one you can’t afford to take. Approximately forty percent of the entire US population is deficient in vitamin D, and fish products can ensure that this essential nutrient is provided to your body safely and naturally.
Herring and salmon are two of the species that have a high content in vitamin D. But what’s so special about it? Vitamin D is crucial if you want to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, which occurs in seniors and women especially.
Women are predisposed to this medical condition because they cannot synthesize calcium and vitamin D as well as men. Besides, sedentary lifestyles also have a say in this, which is why it’s recommended that you exercise regularly.
Last, but not least, eating fish regularly can also reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases, prevent asthma in children, and even protect your vision as you age.
