Most of us know about some of the benefits linked to eating products that are plant-based, yet seafood is frequently overlooked when it comes to what contributes to a sustainable, healthy diet.

It has been reported widely that consumers in the UK, eat 50% of the recommended 2 seafood portions a week by the government. Sea Change would like to discuss how beneficial and easy it can be to introduce higher amounts of ocean-based products into your diet.

Keep reading to find out more about the great reasons why sustainable ocean-based products are great for you as well as our planet:

1. The Human Body Cannot Produce Omega-3s

Omega-3 fats are important for heart and brain health. Oily fish like mackerel and salmon are among the best natural sources available of these essential fats, which our bodies cannot produce alone. A delicious smoked salmon by Lambton & Jackson can help you with both taste and better health.

Omega-3s are great for lowering blood pressure and reducing the risks relating to conditions such as dementia, depression, and heart disease. They also contain anti-inflammatory properties which can help to alleviate arthritis and joint pain and promote healthy skin and hair.

2. Seafood can Assist with Meeting the UK’s Dietary Needs

According to the UN (United Nations), food production will need to increase by 70% to match dietary needs by the year 2050. Seafood that is sustainably sourced could play a vital role when it comes to achieving these goals.

Water covers 2 thirds of our planet, and with improved innovation and better management, the ocean could be providing up to 6 times more ocean-based products compared to what it is doing today.

3. Seafood is Good for Your Overall Health

Seafood and fish are packed with minerals, vitamins, and nutrients that are essential for your overall well-being and health. They are also high in calcium and protein and contain low amounts of saturated fats.

As excellent sources of iodine, iron, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, B, and D, they can assist many UK residents to receive the supplements that they may be lacking. Eating seafood or fish 1 to 2 times weekly can enhance brain development, and improve eyesight, immune system, and heart health.

4. Seafood Has a Very Low Carbon Footprint

During the era where concerns surrounding climate change have increased to unprecedented levels, it is now more important than ever to start giving thought to the impact relating to the global food system. The benefits relating to changing over to plant-based diets is well documented, but seafood or fish options could also contribute to lowering greenhouse-gas emissions.

When compared to pork and beef, along with dairy products such as cheese, ocean-based products have a dramatically lower carbon footprint when harvested and then transported in a way that lines up with “sustainable practices”. When consuming seafood to form a more balanced diet, this approach can also alleviate the demands for products such as red meat.

5. Sustainable Fishing Allows Stocks To Recover

Sustainably managed fisheries can help to restore the diverse ecosystems and marine life in the way of allowing species that are endangered to reproduce and recover.

When caring for the ocean in the correct way and not exploiting the resources through acts such as overfishing, people from across the globe can benefit from seafood and its nutritious benefits.

6. The Seafood Industry is Constantly Improving

Without sustainable haddock and cod stocks in the UK, countries like Norway have become relied on to provide these stocks. Fortunately, the Norwegian seafood industry happens to be the leader when it comes to aquaculture management and responsible fisheries.

From super-freezing to eradicating the use of antibiotics in Norwegian salmon farming, to adhering to stringent regulations relating to maintaining responsibly-caught and healthy fish stocks, they ensure top-rated quality from the boats to the supermarkets.