Image credit

There is no doubt that the standard Western diet needs some serious revamping. Generally, our diets are high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fats and low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. As a result of this imbalance, one in three adults now has risk factors for heart disease. While an unhealthy diet can lead to numerous health issues over time, such as the increased risk of diabetes and hypertension, research suggests that an improper diet can also have short-term effects on the body, like accelerated aging. To reverse these trends and stay healthy long-term, we need to update our eating habits with healthier options. This may seem daunting at first, but we can make plenty of simple changes to improve our diets. Eating more seafood is one of those easy changes that has many benefits for your health in the short and long term. Here are just some of them:

Boost Brain Function and Health

Despite the common misconception that fish is bad for your brain; seafood actually helps to prevent cognitive decline as you age. Research shows that people who eat fish regularly are less likely to experience declining cognitive function as they age than those who rarely eat fish. Seafood is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids essential for brain function. Omega-3s are crucial for optimal brain function and preventing cognitive decline as we age. They are particularly important for your brain’s health as well as for your heart’s health. Omega-3s allow blood and oxygen to flow to your brain, which is critical for proper brain function.

Increased Eye Health

Seafood is also a great source of vitamin A and zinc, which can protect against eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Vitamin A is crucial for eye health as it promotes eye development in children and supports eye health in adults. The best sources of vitamin A are eggs, liver, and carrots. Although vegetables such as carrots and broccoli contain vitamin A, they are not as rich as fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel. Zinc is another important nutrient that is essential for eye health. You must get your zinc from natural sources as many people have an excess of zinc from supplements which can cause health issues. You can get vitamin A from eggs, liver, and carrots, as well as from fish and shellfish.

Lower Risk of Strokes and Heart Disease

Fish and seafood are rich in healthy fats that can help lower your risk of heart disease. We all need some fat in our diet, but most of us tend to overeat with saturated fat, which can increase our risk of heart disease. Eating a diet rich in healthy fats can help lower your risk of heart disease and strokes. Fish and seafood are also excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce your heart disease risk. Research shows that people who eat fish at least once a week are less likely to experience a heart attack. A healthy diet can also include certain types of seafood high in protein but low in mercury, such as salmon, tilapia, and shrimp. If you need inspiration, check out this easy and delicious shrimp tacos recipe here.

Summing up

Seafood is an excellent source of nutrients that can help to boost brain function and protect against eye diseases. It can also help to lower your risk of strokes and heart disease. Eating seafood has many benefits for your health, so be sure to include it in your diet regularly. If you are looking for healthy ways to change your diet, adding more seafood to your meals is an easy and healthy choice. It offers many health benefits and is a delicious addition to any diet.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

This is a contributed post