Fish is one of the healthiest and staple diets in most households and a new study shows that eating it a certain way can lower risks of death from cancer.
There’s no dearth of research to prove the benefits of fish. While neuroscientists consider it a super ‘brain food’ greatly beneficial for your mental health, eating specific types of raw fish can cause ‘brain parasites.’ But, small fish is said to be highly effective in reducing cancer mortality.
Eating small fish can increase your life expectancy
A new study conducted by Dr. Chinatsu Kasahara, Associate Professor Takashi Tamura, and Professor Kenji Wakai at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan, claims that eating small fish whole – head to tail – can have life-extending benefits.
Although the study analyzed the eating habits of Japanese who regularly consume small fish such as whitebait, Atlantic capelin, Japanese smelt, and small dried sardines, the findings are important for different nationalities.
The study reportedly included 80,802 participants- 34,555 men and 46,247 women – aged between 35 to 69 years. The researchers analyzed their diet including small fish for an average of nine years.
The researchers found that female participants with controlled factors that affect life expectancy such as age, smoking, BMI, etc were less likely to die from any cause after consuming small fish more frequently.
Although a similar trend concerning all-cause and cancer mortality was noticed in men too, the results weren’t “statistically significant”.
Consuming it whole is highly beneficial
Including small fish in your diet may not produce the same result if you intend to eat only specific parts.
The study says small fish must be consumed whole, “including the head, bones, and organs, which are rich in micronutrients, such as calcium and vitamin A. “
Furthermore, it was determined that women who ate small fish 1-3 times a week or more than 3 times a week were prone to lesser risks of all-cause and cancer mortality compared to those who rarely ate the recommended diet.
Commenting on the benefits of small fish, the author of the research paper said: “Small fish are easy for everyone to eat, and they can be consumed whole, including the head, bones, and organs.”
“Nutrients and physiologically active substances unique to small fish could contribute to maintaining good health,” she added.
