We know that salmon is good for you, but what about other fish? Mackerel is another great fish, which has many health benefits. We’ll take a look at mackerel nutrition, and why it’s a fish you’ll want in your diet.
Mackerel Nutrition
Holy Mackerel!
Just by looking at mackerel nutrition facts, it is clear that this fish has plenty of great nutrients you need in your diet.
To start off, one of the biggest benefits to eating fatty fish is the omega-3. Not only does Mackerel have more omega-3 per 100g that wild salmon, but it also has a slightly better omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.
Mackerel is also a great source of vitamin D and vitamin B12. Both of these are important vitamins that most people are not getting enough of on a daily basis. Mackerel also contains all of the other B vitamins and many minerals in lower quantities.
Mackerel Nutrition Benefits
With high levels of omega-3, the first obvious health benefit from mackerel is that it will help reduce inflammation. Prolonged inflammation has been tied to most major diseases. Proper omega-6 to omega-3 levels reduces inflammation. Mackerel goes a long way to helping balance your fatty acid levels, keeping you healthy and feeling your best.
Besides working as an anti-inflammatory, omega-3 has many other important benefits. Omega-3 is composed of a few different acids, which are all important to your health. One of these is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is especially important because it supports proper brain and eye development. This is why it is so important for pregnant women to get proper omega-3 levels.
Omega-3 fatty acids do a lot more for the brain than just supporting the development process. These awesome fatty acids have also shown to have a significant impact on cognitive decline. People getting proper levels of omega-3 have a substantially slower cognitive decline, helping prevent dementia. It also helps produce more grey matter in the brain. Grey matter is responsible for important brain functions including memory.
Considering the role omega-3 plays on the brain, it is no surprise that it would affect our emotions. People who get proper omega-3 levels are less likely to become depressed.
As we already said, omega-3 helps eye development. It has also been shown to promote eye health as you age. It has even been shown to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration in women.
Vitamin B12 is another important vitamin you get in your diet by eating mackerel. B12 improves red blood cell formation, which is important for energy and heart health. It’s an important part of the cellular function, which keeps your body functioning. It supports the brain and nervous system. B12 deficiency has also been linked to anxiety and depression.
Overall mackerel nutrition is similar in health benefits to other fatty fish like wild salmon, trout, sardines, and tuna. Mackerel has some of the highest omega-3 levels, though, so it is a great choice to add to your diet.
