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Without taking away the health benefits of eating beef or pork, let’s look at the 5 reasons why fish is the healthier option.
Reduced Chances of heart diseases
Fish contain an essential type of fat called Omega-3 fatty acids, which our bodies cannot produce on their own. So by adding fish to your diet, you can drastically improve your health. It helps you to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, episodes of abnormal heart rhythm, and the risk of blood clots – all of which can cause heart disease. From a range of different types of fish you can get these benefits:
- Mackerel contains about 2.6 grams of Omega-3 fatty acids in only 3 ounces,
- Lake Trout, have a total of 2 grams of Omega-3 in 3 ounces,
- Tuna (Albacore) contains 1.5 grams of these special fats in just 3 ounces.
These are all easy to get types of fish that even your usual Aldi ad or even svenfish will have in abundance.
Improved Eyesight
Seafood is also known for being loaded with Vitamin A, which reduces the chances of developing night blindness. The risks of losing your eyesight get higher as you age. Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce high eye pressure, which leads to glaucoma, and eventually, the loss of sight. Moreover, you can treat dry eye syndrome, a condition where your eyes don’t produce enough tears for lubrication.
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Increased Brain Power
As seafood is high in Omega-3s, it helps to improve blood flow to the brain. The proper provision of blood translates to increased oxygen to the brain, which means better performance in cognitive tasks such as sustained attention, improved decision making, and better language comprehension. Improved blood flow to the brain also means improved memory and decreased chances of developing dementia.
Reduced Chances of Developing Autoimmune Disease
Seafood such as fish, shrimp, or clams contains crucial nutrients called vitamin D and fish oil. This combination of nutrients decreases the chances of developing autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune disease is when the body’s defense system suddenly attacks normal cells. Moreover, with age, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and thyroid disease may increase. With at least two servings of seafood each week, you can drastically decrease the chances of developing these diseases.
Good Source of Essential Nutrients for Pregnant Women
Fish and shellfish are good sources of protein, iron, zinc, and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for developing the fetus’ brain cells and its growth. The mother’s body is unable to develop these nutrients and provide them for the infant naturally, but they can be found in a balanced diet with seafood. However, the seafood must be taken in the correct quantities to avoid excessive levels of mercury in both mother and fetus.
Conclusion
Seafood contains fewer calories than beef and pork, and it has the healthy type of fats that are not found in both types of meat. From vitamin D, zinc, protein, and iron, it is no wonder that many dieticians and health fanatics recommend it more than beef and pork.
