Nutritional Value of Fish. What are the benefits of eating fish?

Spring is here again. After taking off heavy winter coats, women start saying the phrase, "If you don't lose weight in March, you'll only have regrets in April." So, what should one eat during the spring? In fact, eating more fish is not only nutritious but also won't make you worry about gaining weight. Why not give it a try?

What are the nutritional values of fish?

Fish are not only nutritious but also delicious. The ancients had a saying, "The taste of fish is the taste of all tastes; once you've eaten fish, all other tastes lose their appeal." Our ancestors even created the character for "freshness" (鲜) under the "fish" radical (鱼), not the "meat" radical (肉), considering fish the ultimate source of freshness. Therefore, fish has long been a beloved food. Not only is fish delicious, but it also offers various health benefits to the human body.

I. Eating fish fights depression.

Scientists point out that 5% of the American population suffers from severe depression, while in Japan, only 0.1% do—one fiftieth of the rate in the United States. Research shows that this difference is related to the varying amounts of fish in the diets of the two countries. Studies have found that fish contain a special fatty acid related to the "happy hormone" in the human brain. It helps relieve mental stress and balance emotions. People who don't eat fish or eat very little often have lower levels of the "happy hormone," and since Americans don't eat fish often, more of them suffer from depression.

Steamed Bass with Chopped Chili

II. Eating fish prevents asthma.

As the saying goes, "Fish causes internal heat, and meat causes phlegm." For a long time, many people considered eating fish a major cause of asthma and thus avoided it. However, recent research by experts has found that eating fresh fish regularly is not only harmless to asthma patients but also helps prevent asthma attacks. Why does eating fresh fish reduce asthma attacks? This is because the unsaturated fatty acids in fresh fish can stop or reduce the production of inflammatory mediators in the body, and asthma attacks are closely related to the release of these mediators. Furthermore, unsaturated fatty acids also help reduce inflammation in the airways, thus helping to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of asthma or alleviate its symptoms.

III. Eating fish reduces dementia.

Canadian scientists, by studying patients with Alzheimer's and healthy elderly people, found that the DHA fatty acid levels in the blood of healthy elderly people were much higher than in those with dementia. The average DHA content in the blood of people showing symptoms of dementia was 30% to 40% lower than in healthy elderly individuals. Scientists believe that DHA is a nutrient essential for brain cell activity and vitality. It helps improve the transmission of nerve signals and enhances thinking and memory abilities. Therefore, eating more fish can reduce the incidence of dementia in the elderly.

IV. Eating fish prevents strokes.

Scientists have found that among developed countries, Japan has a much lower incidence of stroke than some countries in Europe and America. The reason is that Japanese people eat more fish. Eating more fish has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. Research indicates that the higher the content of protein and sulfur-containing amino acids in the diet, the lower the incidence of hypertension. Fish protein is rich in methionine and taurine, both of which are sulfur-containing amino acids. They can affect the blood pressure regulation mechanism, increasing the excretion of sodium in urine, thereby inhibiting the effect of salt on blood pressure and reducing the incidence of hypertension. Experts suggest that an effective way for middle-aged and elderly people to prevent cardiovascular diseases is to take three to four grams of fish oil daily.

Salt and Pepper Fish Fillets

V. Eating fish prevents aging.

In German history, there was a very famous chancellor named Bismarck. He had a long history of overeating and excessive smoking. At the age of 68, his body was extremely weak, his face was covered in wrinkles, and his eyes were cloudy and dull, as if death was beckoning to him. But later, he followed his doctor's advice and ate herring every day. Soon, a miracle occurred: his skin became ruddy, his eyes were bright, and his spirits were high. He lived a healthy life until the age of 83.