The Health Benefits of Eating Fish

A healthy, well balanced diet will usually contain fish

Fish contain plenty of essential vitamins and minerals

Fish is a protein food and it has fewer calories than the other meat sources. Fish is one of the most versatile foods in nature. In addition to all the different species there are of fish, there are also several different ways to prepare fish, including baking, steaming, poaching, grilling or frying.

You can even enjoy raw fish in the form of anchovies, gravlax, sashimi and carpaccio. However, conflicting health messages arise when it comes to the benefits of eating fish.

For a long time now, fish has been regarded as a low-fat food that is high in the good fats. However, the health benefits of eating fish have been overshadowed by the concerns that overfishing is causing environmental problems and the eating fish is risky due to the pollutants.

A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health determined that you need to eat up to two servings of fish every week as part of a healthy, well balanced diet. Research has also found that the benefits of eating fish include cutting the risk of dying from heart disease by more than thirty percent.

The oils that are found in some fish have been proven to reduce blood clotting by making the blood less sticky. The most beneficial fish to consume for this purpose is the mackerel or salmon, both of which are considerably oily fish. Researchers have found that eating up to two servings of fish every week can reduce total mortality by almost twenty percent.

Studies indicate that fish is responsible for alleviating a number of different ailments, such as:

Depression - The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish raise serotonin levels in the brain, reducing the effects of depression.
Inflammation - Omega-3 fatty acids in fish help regulate the inflammation cycle of the body to prevent and relieve cystitis, arthritis and prostatitis.
Prostate cancer - A study in Sweden of six thousand men all over the age of thirty indicates that the risks for developing prostate cancer is double or even triple the risk for men who did not consume the recommended amount of fish in their diet.
Skin - Dermatologists recommend taking advantage of the benefits of eating fish, such as oil-rich salmon, to keep skin looking and feeling younger longer.

Fish and Omega-3 Oil

One of the major benefits of eating fish is that it is an excellent resource for omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 oil is essential to good heart health and the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Research indicates that omega-3 oil has been effective in the treatment of irregular heartbeat, preventing sudden death. Omega-3 oil is also effective in decreasing levels of triglycerides, lowering blood pressure and reducing the rate of growth of atherosclerotic plaque.

A List of Healthy Fish for Eating

The benefits of eating fish make it one of the healthiest foods available today. Preparing fish grilled as opposed to fried is a healthier choice that will provide you with all the great benefits of eating fish.

Be careful not to over-season your fish. Instead, choose low fat, low-sodium seasoning options such as lemon juice, spices, herbs, etc. Be sure to try these healthy varieties of fish: