The Real Reason You Should Starting Eating More Fish

Fish is way more important for your diet than you think. Salmon, tuna, cod — whatever your fish of choice, we hereby give you permission to eat more of it. Here's why. 

First of all, fish is full of omega-3. As Julia Zumpano, a dietitian at the Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, told the The Washington Post, "Omega-3s have been shown to reduce blood clots [which can cause heart attack or stroke] because they prevent blood platelets from getting sticky." She continued, "They also lower triglycerides — fat that can accumulate in the arteries — reduce blood pressure and inflammation, and increase levels of good cholesterol."

Better still, it's kind of like a superfood for your skin. As Dr. Melda Isaac, a board-certified dermatologist in Washington, D.C., told Huffington Post, "Omega-3 fatty acid is going to retain moisture in your skin," helping to banish fine lines and make your skin look plump. Sign us up!

Fish is good for your hair, too, particularly salmon. "Salmon is an excellent source of nutrients that promotes healthy hair," Rima Kleiner, MS, RD of Dish on Fish said. "The omega-3s can help hydrate your hair follicles for growth, and the protein and biotin can help strengthen your strands and prevent breakage," she continued.

Fish even helps with your bone health. "A balanced diet with sufficient calcium and vitamin D, from foods such as salmon, are one of the building blocks for healthy bones as we age," Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Amy Wright for Itsu told Hello! Magazine. 

But, most importantly, it's good for your brain. Yep, eating fish can actually make you smarter. According to a study published by the JAMA Network (via Cheat Sheet), "moderate seafood consumption was correlated with lesser Alzheimer disease neuropathology." 

Eat up!