These are the effects fish can have on your psyche; Surprising consequences, Fish is considered one of the healthiest foods because of its high omega-3 content. Fish is not only good for the body, it also has a positive effect on your psyche. We’ll tell you why you should eat fatty fish regularly.
Fish is a valuable food and contains numerous minerals, iodine and vitamin D. There are also many good proteins in fish. Oily fish, like salmon and mackerel, also contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
For your physical health alone, experts recommend integrating a fish dish into your diet at least twice a week. But there is another reason to eat fish: it also has a positive effect on your mental health.
Does fish help against depression?
In a meta-study, researchers found that people who eat a lot of fish are less likely to suffer from depression. A diet rich in fish reduces the risk of depression by 20 percent in men and 16 percent in women. However, the reason for this has not yet been adequately researched. The researchers suspect that the high level of omega-3 fatty acids may be responsible.
For their meta-study, the researchers analyzed 26 studies with a total of 150,000 participants. Most of these are cross-sectional studies that looked at people with high fish consumption and people with low fish consumption at one point in time. Ten of the studies are cohort studies, looking at the health of a group of people over time.
How are diet and depression related?
The causes of depression are different and far from being adequately researched. An altered balance of neurotransmitters in the brain is often the trigger for depression. How this imbalance comes about is not yet fully understood. The researchers assume that diet can also have at least some influence on the development of depression.
Interestingly, the link between fish and depression has been broadened in studies from Europe. The North American and Asian studies did not show this association. However, it is also not clear why this could be the case.
Omega-3 fatty acids for the brain
The researchers suspect that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish reduce the risk of depression. Other studies have found that these fatty acids promote brain networking. It also affects the transmission of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. These hormones play a major role in depression.
If you are in an autumn slump, then maybe fish should be back on your menu. Not only is it good for the body and soul, it also tastes really good.
