Is Smoked Fish Healthy?
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute medical advice, and has not been reviewed by a medical professional, licensed dietician, or nutritionist. All readers should consult with their physician when determining if any dietary change is right for them. Smoked fish products may contain high sodium content when compared to other foods.
One of the questions that our team gets over and over from customers is whether smoked fish is healthy, and why you should consider including it in your diet. While our immediate answer is of course YES, let’s dive into the question and break down the benefits of eating smoked fish.
High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
One of the primary benefits of eating any kind of fish is that they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, the American Heart Association has recommended for years that people work in at least a couple of servings of fish to reap the benefits of these polyunsaturated fats. Omega-3 fatty acids offer a number of health benefits for your heart, including lowering triglyceride levels, reducing blood pressure, lowering your risk of blood clots and stroke, and reducing irregular heartbeats. Adding smoked fish to your diet is a great way to reap the benefits of these heart-healthy fatty acids!
Supports Brain Health
Another benefit of eating any fish high in Omega-3’s is that it may improve cognitive function. Research has shown that eating fish regularly can help improve your memory and may even reduce age-related cognitive decline. They call fish “brain food” for a reason!
In addition to Omega-3’s, smoked fish provides a multitude of other nutritional benefits. Of course, it is very rich in protein, which is great for muscle growth, but it also packs iodine, as well as a multitude of other important vitamins and minerals like Vitamin D. Of course, these vary from fish to fish, but generally fish is a lean protein that boosts plenty of vitamins and minerals as well.
Supports Heart Health
When you consider the fact that fish is a lean protein, has plenty of Omega-3s, which are known to support heart health and lower blood pressure, and has even been shown to lower harmful LDL levels (bad cholesterol), it’s no surprise that fish has long been considered to be a heart healthy food. Yes, smoked fish can be salty, as it is cured in salt. However, we recommend consuming it in moderation as with all good things in life. Replacing less heart healthy foods like red meat with more fish could help improve your heart health, so give it a try!
While we’ve only scratched the surface of all of the wonderful benefits adding more fish to your diet can provide, it’s easy to see why it’s a universally praised dietary staple. If you’re interested in adding more fish to your diet, our team at Acme is ready to help! You can use our store locator to find a retailer near you, or by visiting us on Fish Fridays at our Brooklyn location. We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with all of your smoked fish needs.