The benefits of eating seafood for your brain are numerous and valuable. In recent years, scientists have established that food has a significant impact on how our mind works.
Nutritionists consider seafood to be a very complete food because it provides us with a large amount of nutrients that are essential for our brain in the medium and long term. In addition, they are an essential food base for all those who want to lose those extra kilos, since they contain very little fat.
The latest studies on healthy eating emphasize the consumption of seafood since it covers 80% of nutritional needs in all age groups, as well as being one of the most exquisite and tasty foods we know. In addition, most seafood contains the same benefits as white fish because it has similar nutrients and proteins.
No matter what type of seafood we eat, what is truly important is that it provides us with a healthier life – without overdoing it, of course – particularly when it comes to the heart and brain.
Strengthens memory
Regularly eating seafood directly affects concentration, memory, and intellectual activity as it contains a moderate amount of manganese, which your body does not produce on its own and needs to be ingested externally for your neurons to perform at their best.
The vitamins, minerals, and fats contained in seafood help the brain to develop optimally, which will improve your mental agility and increase your retention capacity.
Increases self-esteem
The amount of tryptophan in seafood makes its consumption essential for your mood and therefore the way you face life.
Tryptophan is one of the 8 essential amino acids in the human diet. It is the metabolic precursor of serotonin. This hormone transmits signals between nerve cells and this directly affects your mood. On the other hand, if you have a high body mass index and want to lower it, eating seafood can help you: it has a low-fat content, making it one of the ideal foods when dieting. Without going overboard, of course.
Improves neurological development
In a study conducted at the University of Amsterdam with pregnant mothers, it was shown that infants and young children had improved neurological development when seafood was consumed by mothers before and during pregnancy.
They reduce intellectual fatigue.
All crustaceans are rich in zinc, which is a mineral that helps the brain stay alert and lowers stress and anxiety levels.
Although seafood is easy to digest due to its moderate caloric content, it has been proven that it provides you with the energy you need to carry out your daily activities, making it an excellent option for those who practice exercise, both intellectually and physically.
Improve your mood
Psychologists and neuropsychologists recommend consuming vitamin B12 as a habit to protect against depression. Taking supplements of this vitamin is equivalent to eating 50 grams of seafood per week.
One of the benefits of eating seafood for your brain is the amount of vitamin B12 that it provides to your body.
They have a high antioxidant power.
Shellfish offer high antioxidant power since they contain selenium: one of the nutrients that the body needs to prevent oxidation.
Oxygen is an essential element in our life; without it, we could not live, but if we do not control our diet, we will easily end up affected, sick, and with accelerated aging. Antioxidants, such as selenium, help us prevent alterations in the body, slowing down the reactions produced by oxidation.
Protect against Alzheimer’s
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that eating seafood as part of a regular diet reduces the risk of Alzheimer‘s disease by 47%.
The study’s authors performed autopsies on the brains of 286 deceased participants after tracking their dietary habits for years as part of a study on memory and aging. None of the participants had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease when they began the research, but those who frequently ate seafood were significantly less likely to develop the degenerative neurological pathology .
Another advantage of eating seafood for your brain is that it reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
In conclusion, we can say that a rich and varied diet, rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, carbohydrates (cereals, bread, pasta or rice (preferably whole grain), dairy products, fish, and in which seafood is part of our nutritional routine, will provide us with great benefits in the medium and long term.