While available all year round, fish is comparatively more prevalent during the winter, mainly because it is nutrient-dense. There are many benefits to seafood, but fish is the supreme seafood by far.
Fishing is mainly banned in summer. Winter is the time for harvest when most of the fish are fresh and in season. The benefits of eating fish during this time are numerous since fish contains many nutrients that support a healthy lifestyle.
Since fish is nutrient-dense, it can cause one’s body to heat up significantly during summer, so winter is the best season to incorporate a fish diet. Fish is also integral to some of the winter festivals worldwide and is the main dish of these events. Incorporating a fish diet into your meals can enhance your winter festivities while promoting health.
With winter approaching soon, it’s essential to realize the health benefits of eating fish and how they can contribute to a healthier lifestyle in a season when people are more prone to getting sick.
How Eating Fish Can Boost Your Immunity
Winter is the time of year when viral infections are at their peak. This is mainly due to people not being physically active, and lower humidity also contributes to spreading diseases. Proper nutrition is all that a person needs to help fight against sickness, and as the famous quote goes, “One Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away.” An apple does make things better, but it doesn’t cut it since it lacks other micro and macronutrients such as Omega-3.
Omega-3 is a healthy fat essential for better cardiovascular health. It is primarily found in dairy products such as eggs but is also rich in seafood like codfish, salmon, and trout. The fatty acids improve airflow to the lungs, avoiding respiratory infections. Including more seafood in your diet can significantly enhance your health during the winter months.
Omega-3 lowers blood pressure and triglycerides in blood cells, promoting better blood flow in the body. People with weak cardiovascular health are more than suggested to eat fish at least twice a week for a healthier lifestyle. Aside from improving cardiovascular health. Omega-3 also has the added benefit of reducing inflammation and improving conditions like arthritis and joint pain.
There’s more to why Omega-3 is one of the best nutrients overall. One of the Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA also improves the brain’s cognitive functions and enhances eye vision since DHA is a significant retina component. This is why seafood is often referred to as brain food.
Other than that, selenium is one of the critical micronutrients found in fish which can reduce the risk of cancer and increase thyroid gland hormones.
Nutrients in Fish
Even aside from all seafood, fish is one of the foods with the most densely packed nutrients. It’s kind of an all-in-one meal that contains micronutrients otherwise not found in regular foods. Omega-3 is already mentioned, but that’s just a starter as a fatty acid.
Protein is undoubtedly one of the most important macronutrients that a person needs daily. At least 50 grams of protein is recommended per day for an average person to promote healthy bones and maintain a healthy appetite since protein is the most fulfilling macronutrient. Salmon, trout, mackerel, and cod are packed with protein. An average of 100 grams of fish contains 20-25 grams of protein, ranging from 90-200 calories. For such a low-calorie content, fish fulfills almost half the protein intake in just 100 grams, which is just a few bites.
However, for someone who works out, at least 1 gram of protein is recommended per pound of bodyweight. To hit the protein goals, fish is by far the superior choice since it has a better texture and taste than chicken, which can be considered subjective.
Other nutrients in fish include zinc, iron, magnesium, and calcium (in selective fishes), which are great for healing wounds, increasing the quantity of red and white blood cells, and strengthening bones.
Fish Helps Combat Depression
Winters are often associated with depression, and there’s actually a scientific explanation for that. Since people tend to stay indoors frequently and the skies are cloudy. There is a lack of sunlight, and we become devoid of sunlight, which is a great Vitamin D source.
Sunlight also influences our circadian rhythm, a significant factor in controlling our sleep. A lack of sunlight can disrupt our sleep schedules and cause more fatigue due to high melatonin production.
Thankfully, fish is an excellent source of Vitamin D. Fish like cod, tuna, sardines, and others are pretty rich in Vitamin D and can help regulate mood by substituting sunlight for Vitamin D.
How Eating Fish Can Give You Better Skin In Winters
Since winters are cold and there is a lack of humidity, our skin gets dry due to its inability to retain moisture. This can result in dry, itchy skin, which can, in severe conditions, cause wounds, too.
Another benefit of eating fish in winter is that it helps better your skin and gives you more confidence. Due to the Omega-3 and Omega-6 content and antioxidants. Our skin can maintain its fat layer, preventing moisture from leaking out and resulting in much smoother skin.
Some fish are also rich in collagen, mainly processed canned ones since they have processed bones in them. Collagen is the building block of a person’s skin and bones, and eating fish rich in collagen can naturally give you better skin and bones, especially for someone in their late age, when the body starts to produce less collagen.
There you go, folks. Winter is approaching, and as you prepare for the upcoming cold weather, you should make a proper meal plan for the date that includes a fish diet, considering the benefits of seafood and fish especially.
However, it’s essential to realize that too much of anything can be harmful, and since fish are rich in micronutrients such as magnesium, it can also pose a significant health risk.
Also, eating fish doesn’t have to be boring. Different continental recipes can make it more flavorful by changing the taste of the entire fish by the way it’s cooked.
