November 27, 2007

UK research finds gargantuan benefits from fish consumption

University of Oxford released findings of improved cognitive ability among elderly men and women who ate fish frequently.

Dr. A. David Smith, principal author of the study, assessed the cognitive ability and the average daily intake of fish among 2,031 men and women, between 70 and 74 years old.

All six cognitive tests were performed by the respondents. It was found that those who ate fish more frequently scored higher on memory, visual conception, spatial motor skills, attention, orientation, and verbal fluency tests.

Overall, around 96 percent of the participants reported eating 10 or more grams of fresh, frozen, or canned fish and seafood, or fish products per day.

Smith added that the effect was stronger as fish consumption increased up to a limit of about 80 grams per day.

However, UK researchers propose for additional research to determine if cognitive benefits from fish and seafood consumption depend on the type, the species of fish or on the preparation.