Landmark findings have revealed eating two servings of seafood per week could significantly improve health, with experts now urging Australians to adopt a simple habit called Two4life.
Research conducted by Dr Wendy Hunt and Professor Alexandra McManus shows adopting the food routine can reduce risks of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s by 30 per cent and lower dementia risks by 10 per cent.
Prof. McManus said the findings highlight the important role seafood plays in long-term health outcomes and improvements.
“Overall, it shows that if we eat two servings of seafood a week, with one of them being an oily fish, we have enormous health benefits from preconception right through our lifespan,” Prof. McManus said.
“If we are looking at things like brain health, which DHA’s as a part of Omega-3’s are essential for our brain function, if we don’t have it our brain doesn’t work as effectively as it could.”
The Two4Life campaign was launched by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and urges Australian’s to consume servings measuring between 100 and 150 grams.
Nutrition and Dietetics Professor Yasmin Probst said consuming seafood has been a recommendation in dietetics for years because of the beneficial nutrients.
“We know that seafood is beneficial with brain health,” Prof. Probst said.
“When you consume seafood, you actually get what we call a matrix of different nutrients.
“We have ongoing effects from consuming those and actually that’s beneficial more so than just taking a single supplement.”
Prof. Probst said frozen and canned seafood are affordable and accessible options for achieving the recommended goal.
“A frozen fish option that’s more convenient definitely still contains most of those nutrients that we’re looking for when we’re consuming seafood,” she said.
“If it’s easier to keep some frozen fish in the freezer, why not?
“It’s that healthy to eat fish and seafood more often, go for it.”
Research shows beyond improving heart and brain health, the regular consumption of seafood can reduce bodily inflammation, support blood vessel function and lead to improved mental health.
Rachael Gregory · Two serves of Seafood a week for Lasting Health Benefits
