Healthy ageing

Could this be the elixir of youth? The anti-aging benefits of oily fish

Does oily fish deserve to be crowned an anti-ageing superfood? We find out…

The quest to look, and feel, younger can be a little overwhelming, with a whole host of beauty products, lifestyle tips, and diet recommendations being thrown our way on a daily basis. Wouldn’t it be great if there was something that could give us a bit of everything at once and reduce the amount of time and money spent on our anti-ageing regimes? Well, we think we might have found just the trick!

According to the NHS, the evidence of the health benefits gained from eating oily fish is strong enough to warrant a government recommendation that we eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily. But what are these health benefits?

Most notably, eating oily fish is an excellent way of maintaining good cardiovascular health. The heart-related benefits were actually brought to light when researchers discovered that Eskimos, whose diet consists mainly of oily fish, experience less heart attacks and strokes than the average person.

Alison Hornby, a dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, says: “the benefits of eating at least two portions of fish a week include keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level and improving blood lipids, both of which reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease – the biggest killer in the UK”.

Oily fish is also said to help prevent dementia, prostate cancer, and age-related vision loss, and is a good source of vitamin D, protein, some B vitamins, and selenium, all of which are key to staying healthier for longer.

The property that arguably brings oily fish into superfood territory however is the fact that it’s a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have numerous benefits for both the inside and outside of the body.

These fats, found in fish like mackerel and sardines, can perform wonders on your skin, including managing oil production and preventing premature ageing of the skin as well as acne. Oily fish is also a useful tool for fighting inflammation and can protect your skin from sun damage.

Salmon is at the top of the game when it comes to oily fish, and contains the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin, which is known to be particularly effective in improving skin moisture levels, smoothness, elasticity, fine wrinkles, and spots or freckles. Astaxanthin can also be found in shrimp, lobster and crab, so you won’t be stuck for choice next time you visit the fishmonger.

Natural Health’s verdict? The endless list of benefits gained from eating oily fish, not to mention how tasty it is, definitely makes it a youth-enhancing superfood superstar.

If you’re feeling inspired, check out our oily fish recipes here.

Article by

Emily McMullin

Article by

Emily McMullin