One of the major benefits of eating seafood is that it’s packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that keep our bodies in good working order.

Protein
Seafood is an excellent source of protein, and also contains small amounts of 'good' fats. Protein-rich fish and shellfish can help to nourish your muscles, as well as warding off colds and flu. Foods with high protein content tend to be low in calories while keeping us fuller for longer.

Salt & sodium
Despite being so high in minerals, seafood is very low in salt and sodium. Most of us eat too much sodium, which has been linked to high blood pressure, strokes and heart disease. Swapping a ready meal that's high in sodium for a seafood dish can help you to lower your salt intake and boost your health.

Shellfish & dietary cholesterol
It's also worth bearing in mind that shellfish contains dietary cholesterol. However, saturated fats (which seafood is low in) are much more responsible in causing high blood cholesterol levels than dietary cholesterol, which needn't be avoided unless you suffer from a genetic condition called Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) or Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia (FCH).

Seafood is also an excellent source of omega-3.

Research has shown that eating fish and shellfish regularly is beneficial to our bodies in many ways. Here are 10 great reasons to introduce a little more seafood into your diet.

1. Great for your heart
It's no coincidence that fish-eating Inuit populations in the Arctic have low levels of heart disease; seafood is low in saturated fat and high in omega-3, (which can both) protect the heart from disease and lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood. One study has even suggested that an extra portion of fish every week can cut risk of heart disease in half.

2. Clearing the vessels
Eating fish can improve your circulation and reduce the risk of thrombosis. The EPA and DHA - omega-3 oils in seafood can save your body from having to produce eicosanoids, a hormone-like substance which can make you more likely to suffer from blood clots and inflammation.

3. Joint benefits
Eating fish as a regular part of a balanced diet has been shown to ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, a condition which causes the joins to swell up. Recent research has also found a link between omega-3 fats and osteoarthritis, suggesting that eating more seafood could help to prevent the disease.

4. The eyes have it
Eating oil-rich fish regularly can help to keep the eyes bright and healthy. A recent study has suggested that omega-3 fatty acids can help to protect the eyesight of those suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition which causes the retina to degenerate and the eyesight to become blurred. Fish and shellfish also contain retinol, a form of vitamin A which boosts night vision.

5. Essential nutrients
Seafood provides the body with many essential nutrients which keep us running smoothly, including iodine, selenium, zinc and potassium. Iodine is important for the thyroid gland, and selenium makes enzymes which can help to protect us from cancer. Fish and shellfish are also excellent sources of many vitamins, including vitamins A and D.

6. Take a deep breath
A number of studies have indicated that fish and shellfish may help to protect our lungs. Not only can seafood relieve the symptoms of asthma in children, but it has shown signs of preventing it. Eating a lot of fish can also keep your lungs stronger and healthier as you age, in comparison to those who don't eat a lot of fish.

7. Brighten your outlook
Seafood may also play a large part in preventing depression. Research has highlighted links between low omega-3 levels and a higher risk of depression. Seafood could also help us to avoid Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and postnatal depression.

8. Your skin looks great
Not only does omega-3 help to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV damage, but eating lots of fish can also help with the symptoms of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Fish is also a great source of protein, which is an essential ingredient of collagen, a substance which keeps the skin firm and flexible.

9. Good for down below
Evidence suggests that a diet rich in fish oils can help to protect us against serious inflammatory bowel diseases (BD), including Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. There is also evidence to suggest that omega-3 could help to slow the progression of inflammatory bowel disease in some sufferers.

10. Boost your brainpower
The human brain is almost 60% fat, with much of this being omega-3 fat. Probably for this reason, research has indicated that people who eat plenty of seafood are less likely to suffer dementia and memory problems in later life. DHA, an omega-3 fat found in seafood, has also been linked to improvements in children's concentration, reading skills, behaviour, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Due to the large numbers of essential nutrients contained in fish and shellfish, many experts recommend that we try to eat at least two portions of seafood every week.

One portion of seafood is generally considered to be about 140g of seafood, or a portion about the size of a fist.

There are also limits to the amount of seafood we should eat every week. However, the latest report from the World Health Organisation acknowledges that for most people, the benefits of eating large quantities of seafood far outweigh the potential risks.

Source: Seafish – a body set up by the Fisheries Act 1981 to improve efficiency and raise standards across the seafood industry in the UK.

http://www.seafish.org/about-seafish/who-we-are