Fish has been an extensively accepted food since antique epoch throughout the world. Many moons ago when aquaculture was not incepted, people had to rely merely on the wild source in need of fish. But later, due to the increment of the human population, the demand for fish had increased drastically which propelled inventing aquaculture technique to produce more fish to cope with this huge demand. In fact, more than one-sixth of the world's protein is assumed to be provided by fish. However, different species of fish are served through a smorgasbord of various cuisines all over the world and some are eaten raw. Fish is the healthiest animal protein source on the planet. Why is it healthiest? To get its answer, let me inform you of nine health benefits of eating fish.
Better nutrients for your health:
Good health is a precious asset. Fish can provide you a wide variety of some crucial nutrients which are really very essential for maintaining good health. Fish is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamins such as D, D3, and B2 (riboflavin). Fish is rich in phosphorus and calcium as well as a rich source of minerals, such as zinc, iron, iodine, potassium, and magnesium.
Ensure a standard protein: Fish provides a high-quality protein which is lower in fat albeit some have higher fat content but those fats are not deleterious for our body. Protein is an essential nutrient, responsible for some different functions in your body, including building tissue, cells, and muscle, as well as making hormones and antibodies. Fish protein is easily assimilated protein with a great digestibility rate which is more than 90 per cent. Dried fish is a highly concentrated protein source. Only one ounce of dried fish can provide 18 grams of protein.
Fish is good for your brain: Eating fish is undoubtedly good for the health of our brain. Fish contains alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA is a compound which requires to generate docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, considered as a complex fatty acid that fabricates your brain-cell walls. A dearth of adequate DHA can impair the normal mental ability of human. Your brain needs amino acids to construct the neurotransmitters that enable it to communicate with the rest of your body. Fish provides a high-quality source of protein that contains an abundance of essential amino acids.
Vitamin D, a nutrient not found naturally in many foods other than fish, is crucial for proper brain development and function. Vitamin D also helps your body absorb the calcium you take in, promoting the healthy function of brain nerves.
Eat fish for better skin: Usually, when we think to have a better-looking skin, we rush to a departmental shop to buy a beauty facial cream and so on like products which are nothing but the chemical. Chemicals have side effects, so why don't we think about the natural source for maintaining good health for skin? Fish is such a natural product which can make your skin healthier. They are great sources of omega-3 fatty acid, which are crucial for maintaining better skin health.Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to keep skin soft, moisturized and animate. They can even make your skin less sensitive to harmful UV rays of the sun. In fact, an inadequate amount of omega-3 fats can result in dry skin problem.
Fatty fish is further a source of vitamin E, which considered as an important antioxidant for your skin. Having enough vitamin E is necessary for guarding your skin against the harm of free radicals and inflammation.
Fish maintain better eye health: Fish has the ability to improve overall eye health. Fish is filled in omega 3 fatty acids which can work against cataracts, dry eye syndrome, and even macular degeneration. It also assists with the flow of intraocular fluid as well as contributes to visual development and the health of the retina. Fish oil supplements are used for eye disease.
Fish can protect your heart disease: It is proven by research that fish is a heart-friendly food and eating fish in your regular meal can reduce the risk of a heart attack. The American Heart Association has recommended people to eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids minimum twice a week. Those fatty acids have no cholesterol, they can prevent inflammation which is responsible for damaging blood vessel and ultimately lead to heart disease and strokes. Doctors have long believed that the unsaturated fats in fish, called omega-3 fatty acids, are the compounds that reduce the risk of dying of heart disease.
Eat fish for boosting your bone: Study shows that fish has bone-boosting properties. Some fish contain a rich amount of vitamin D which is responsible for ensuring better health for your bone. Vitamin D has also a capability of absorbing calcium another crucial compound for bone.
Fish reduces the risk of type 1 diabetes:Fish can maintain a good immune system of our body and prevent autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes. If immune system damages the pancreas,it stops producing the insulin cells which result in type 1 diabetes. It is confirmed by researchers that Omega-3 and fish oil lessen the risk of type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune disease.
Fish reduces liver disease: Fish protein contains an amino acid called taurine, which is necessary for the integrity of the arteries and vein connected to the liver. Fish contains another compound called methionine which helps to detoxify your body by the liver. We have already known that omega-3 fatty acid of fish has a great power to prevent inflammation and that can prevent liver cell damage. It also reduces the fat content of the liver and maintains balanced blood pressure. The research explained that consuming more than 300 gm fish per week can reduce the risk of alcoholic liver disease.
Al-Nahian Avro writes from the Noakhali Science and Technology University, Dept. of Fisheries and Marine Science
alnahianavro@gmail.com