Seafood Health Benefits
A varied and healthy diet is a prerequisite for good
health. Fish and other seafood are an important part of a balanced diet and
contribute to a good nutritional status. Children, young people, pregnant women
in particular eat little fish. A good nutritional status is especially
important for these vulnerable groups. Seafood contains high levels of many
important nutrients that are not commonly found in other foods. It is an
excellent source of proteins, very long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and
DHA), vitamin D, selenium and iodine. Fatty fish and certain fatty seafood
products have the highest level of marine omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D in
our diet.
We know quite a lot about the health effects of isolated
nutrients present in fish, but less about the combined effects of nutrients in
fish, i.e. how fish as food contribute to promote and maintain good health. So
far the documented beneficial effects of a high intake of fish are mainly
related to the content of EPA and DHA, which make the veins more elastic,
prevent blood clots, reduce blood pressure, stabilise heart rhythm and
generally reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Other
health effect from seafood
Epidemiological studies have shown an association between
seafood consumption and a lower prevalence of depression. This indicates that
consuming seafood result in lower risk of depression. Consumption of fish and
other seafood is also important during pregnancy and foetal development,
including foetus growth and neurobiological development.
Most studies have involved pure fish oil or capsules
containing various fish oils or pure EPA and DHA. By contrast, very few
intervention studies have explored the
health effects of a regular intake of fish and other seafood. Hence
NIFES aims to study the overall health effects of seafood intake in relation to
obesity, diabetes type 2 and mental health.