Health benefits of fish

The demand for fish as a food is tremendously increased due to various reasons. The major reason is the recommendation of fish as a healthy food that can be used in human diet by the dietitians, because of its low fat content and presence of omega-3 fatty acids.  The presence of omega-3 fatty acids lead to have a numerous of health benefits. Omega 3 fatty acids present in fish are, poly unsaturated fatty acids 

• Reduce the risk of hypertension
• Atherosclerosis 
• Auto immune diseases
• The triglycerides and LDL cholesterol level in the blood is reduced
• Important to have a healthy heart
• reduces the risk of having strokes by preventing platelet aggregation and regulating arrhythmia 
• Provides a protection against cancers such as breast, colon, prostate, lung and skin

The protein content of different meat sources and the fish is given in Table.

According to medical research institute recommendations, protein consumption of man for a day is 62 g and 14.6 g of it should be animal protein. Animal protein sources are meat, fish, egg, milk etc. Fish is the most common and cheapest animal protein source of the developing countries and Island people, because it provides a good quality protein of higher biological value similar to meat sources with sulphur containing amino acids. 

Fish is a good protein source for the pregnant and lactating women. It is especially valuable for growing and sick children. The disease Kwashiorkor which occurs in many areas of the world, and causes much illness and many thousands of deaths each year is due to lack of protein in the diet of the children. Supplying adequate protein as part of a well balanced diet can prevent all these conditions.

Fish also provides thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin A, iron and calcium which are important for the human health.

Delicious & Health Fish Dish