With busy, stressful, and fast-paced lives, having a proper diet is becoming increasingly important nowadays. Our food is directly responsible for our health and well-being. Eating fresh and seasonal seafood is an optimal combination of tasty and beneficial meals.
It’s no wonder sushi bars and restaurants that offer exclusive fish products are becoming more popular. In this blog post, we’ll go through the main health benefits of eating fish and other sea products.
We will also examine how eating seafood is beneficial not just for our physical and mental health, but also for the environment. If you’re a restaurant owner, you may want to consider adding seafood options as part of your different types of menus.
3 Major Benefits of Eating Seafood
Omega-3 fatty acids are probably the biggest reason why you should include seafood in your menu more often. Fish and other sea products are among the richest sources of these important nutrients. Omega-3 helps reduce the risk of heart and circulatory diseases. They also help reduce blood pressure. Lack of sufficient fatty acids in your diet can lead to dry skin, brittle hair, thin nails, and dandruff.
Seafood also helps with brain function. Cognitive function and memory rely on the good condition of neurons. They need omega-3 fatty acids as well. This is one of the reasons why fish is among the recommended foods during pregnancy and for children.
Eating seafood improves vision. Vitamin A is an important nutrition for our eyesight. And a lot of fish and seafood are rich in vitamin A.
Key takeaway: Seafood is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They are important for most body systems. Seafood is also rich in vitamin A, proteins, and other crucial nutrients.
Additional Health Benefits of Seafood Consumption
Healthy Skin
You’ve probably noticed that a lot of skin products are oily. The reason behind this is that our skin needs fats. Seafood is rich in proteins, unsaturated fats, and vitamins. This makes it a must-have food for healthy skin, hair, and nails. Another food product that can be used for skincare is beef tallow for skin.
Weight Management
Fish has a very low percentage of carbohydrates. This means that your body won’t produce as much insulin, and you will feel full longer. It’s no wonder that a lot of weight-loss diets incorporate fish and seafood in their meal plans.
Better Bone Health
Calcium and vitamin D are essential for strong bones. Seafood is rich in those nutrients. That is why studies have shown that consuming fish products decreases the risk of osteoporosis and improves bone mineral density.
Seafood Is an Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant
Thanks to omega-3, eating seafood reduces inflammation and can relieve pain caused by it. Sea products can also help reduce the risk of some types of cancer due to their antioxidant properties.
Better Immune System
Seafood is rich in vitamin D, selenium, and zinc - which are important nutrients for the body. They are vital parts of the immune system’s response to viruses and bacteria.
Less Anxiety and Depression
Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids also reduce levels of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, since seafood is very tasty, you will probably feel happy while you eat it. What better way to improve your mental health?
3 Sustainable Benefits of Eating Seafood
As we already discussed, eating seafood is directly beneficial for your health. However, there are additional advantages to eating seafood from a sustainability standpoint.
- Reducing carbon footprint. Fish is a good source of protein for the body. This makes it an important part of your menu. If you exclude seafood from your diet, you’ll probably need other forms of protein. Such protein can be animal proteins like red meat or dairy products.
"Is fish considered meat?" you might ask. Yes, it is, but it’s probably the most eco-friendly one. They have a much bigger negative impact on climate compared to seafood. Thus, consuming more fish directly helps mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Supports coastal communities. Cities and towns near the shores often rely on the seafood industry. According to the United States Department of Commerce, fishery economics adds 1.7 million jobs in the country.
- Ensures marine ecosystems’ health. With sustainable fishing practices, ocean and sea ecosystems are kept in good condition. As consumers, it is recommended that we choose certified suppliers of seafood. Check out more on reputable seafood certifications.
What Businesses and Restaurants Should Know About Fresh Seafood?
If you’re in the seafood restaurant industry, it is important to always serve fresh seafood in your establishment. To do so, make sure to work with wholesale seafood vendors who use modern technology for inventory tracking and warehouse management systems.
If you want to be confident that your customers are served excellent fish products, always check for the green and blue fish logos. These are the MSC and ASC certification logos. They are among the most renowned programs for wild and farmed seafood practices.
If you enjoy preparing and cooking fish products, you might be considering starting a seafood restaurant. It is one of the seafood business ideas that can be started with fairly small capital. Keep in mind that seafood plating is a very important aspect of the service.
Also, check out some information on how to sell fish online. With more and more people eating seafood from trustworthy bulk fish suppliers, it is among the top eCommerce business ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions about Seafood Health Benefits
Eating seafood has many benefits for your health and for the environment. Here are the answers to commonly asked questions regarding seafood health benefits.
Is Raw Seafood Dangerous?
Just like raw meat, raw fish and other sea products can be unsafe. To guarantee that no health problems will occur, make sure to buy only certified fish products with MSC or ASC certification logos.
Reputable seafood restaurants tend to buy from wholesale seafood distribution businesses that follow the highest food safety standards. If the seafood dishes are prepared with fresh and certified products, the risk is significantly lower.
What to Look for When Buying Seafood?
When shopping for fish and seafood products, look for the logos of the two major programs: MSC & ASC certification. The MSC program is for wild fishery practices and ASC is for seafood farms.
Another important thing to consider is the freshness of the products. If you’ve noticed a very strong smell (stronger than normal fish smell) or a change in the coloring of the fish meat, consider choosing another option.
How Is Seafood Shipped?
Seafood shipping follows strict storage procedures. Food safety systems are a must. A large portion of modern technology in restaurants focuses on safety.
If you’re dealing with the shipping and handling of seafood, you may consider looking into how to ship frozen food. This will keep your frozen food safe during transport.
What Seafood Is the Most Popular?
Shrimp, tuna, and salmon are the three most popular types of seafood. Other favored seafood options are lobster, oysters, crab, and various types of sea fish and shellfish. Popular seafood pairings include white wine and pale ale.
How to Keep Seafood Fresh?
When you prepare seafood, use well-washed surfaces and cutlery. This way you know that the chance of bacterial contamination is minimized.
Additionally, seafood should be kept in cold temperatures (preferably between 35 °F and 40 °F). If a fish is under direct sunlight or in a warm room for more than 15-30 minutes, bacteria are likely to have spread and the spoiling process begins.
In What Circumstances Should You Not Eat Seafood?
Though nutritious, you should avoid eating seafood in certain situations including when pregnant. Pregnancy is a good example when certain seafood (especially raw fish) is not recommended.
Shark, swordfish, and tilefish usually contain high levels of vitamin A and mercury. So be careful with the amount of seafood you consume as it might lead to overnutrition.
Can Babies and Kids Eat Seafood?
Babies can begin eating fish products right after they’re introduced to solid food. Keep in mind that when cooking seafood for a kid, their meal should be properly cooked as a baby’s immune system is at higher risk from bacteria.
Kids can eat sushi and other seafood. Still, make sure these items are properly cooked. It’s best for toddlers and children to stay away from raw fish as it can cause stomach problems.
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