Fish has so many benefits, it’s almost unfair to compare it to any other food. Just two servings of fish each week will provide you with enough omega-3 fatty acids to boost your metabolism, help keep cancer away, and more. Also labeled a “brain food,” eating more fish can level up your journey to better health, whatever your goals may be.
Improve Your Quality Of Sleep
Eating fish can help you sleep? Studies say yes. Research published in The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that people who increased their fish consumption reported improved quality of sleep. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help people fall asleep more quickly, and vitamin D helps you reach a deeper sleep.
Also, the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fish stimulates melatonin, one of the key components of helping you get a good night’s rest. Better sleep can also benefit your waistline, in case you needed one more reason to add salmon to your dinner plate.
Fish Is Full Of Vitamin D
Sadly, 70% of the U.S. population does not get the daily recommended amount of vitamin D, according to The National Institutes of Health. On a positive note, fish is full of vitamin D, and consuming more of it can help you achieve your daily recommended intake of the essential nutrient.
Vitamin D found in fish can also help your body to better absorb calcium, improving overall bone health and growth. Just a little bit of fish means a lot of vitamin D.
Decrease Depression
Although more research still needs to be done on the subject, some studies have found that consuming fish can help decrease symptoms of depression in adults. Omega-3 fatty acids have eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, both of which are commonly low in brain chemicals of people with depression. Eating fish a few times a week can raise EPA and DHA levels.
It’s also believed that taking fish oil can have the same effect.
Fend Off Alzheimer’s Disease
Did you know that fish is also good for your brain? In fact, it can even help ward off Alzheimer’s disease as you age. The Journal of American Medical Association published a study that showed a lower risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in people who ate a diet with a moderate amount of seafood. Grey brain matter is a sign of future brain functioning complications, and people who ate fish showed less of it.
Improve Eyesight And Vision
Since fish is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids it’s also one of the best elements of your diet for your eye health. Both your brain and your eyes require omega-3 fatty acids in order to properly function, and the more the merrier! Whenever you add fish to your meal, your eyes and vision are receiving a much-welcomed health boost, too. Not only is this good news for your eye health now, but also as you age.
Rev-Up Your Metabolism
If your weight loss goal is at a standstill, consider eating more fish. According to research from the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can help boost your metabolism. The study showed that fish can help out your metabolism both while resting and exercising.
And for older women, eating two or more servings of fish each week can assist with fat oxidation.
Decrease Your Risk Of Heart Disease
Incorporating more fish into your diet can help your heart! A review published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that eating fish can help lower the risk of total coronary and fatal heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids are very heart-healthy and beneficial. Thankfully, fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids! This can aid in protecting your heart by reducing inflammation that can damage blood vessels and lead to heart disease and strokes.
Packed With Protein
While it’s important to get your protein, it’s just as important to make sure you’re getting it from the right sources. Eating too much protein that’s high in saturated fat can lead to other health problems. But you don’t have to worry about that with fish! High in protein, fish is a slice of lean meat, that’s much lower in saturated fat compared to beef, lamb, or pork.
That’s good news for your heart health, too.
Protect And Clear Your Skin
If you have troubled skin, increasing fish in your diet might help! From adults to teenagers, fatty fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel can help with healthy skin. Vitamin E found in fatty fish acts as an antioxidant for your skin, protecting it against damage caused by free radicals. Omega-3 fatty acids help moisturize the skin and have also been proven to decrease inflammation, reducing acne and redness.
The same nutrient also helps protect skin from harmful UV rays, making it less sensitive.
Help Treat Psoriasis And Lupus
Because omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation in the skin, adding more fish to your diet could also help treat psoriasis and lupus, according to The National Institutes of Health. Omega 3s fight against inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, helping people manage symptoms. Reap the benefits of its anti-inflammatory properties by adding fish to your plate, or by taking a fish oil supplement to fight and prevent psoriasis and lupus flare-ups.