Regularly eating small fish whole – such as whitebait – can prolong life expectancy in women, scientists say
Experts have discovered that regularly eating small whole fish – such as smelt – can extend the life expectancy of women.
A research team from Nagoya University in Japan analyzed data from 80,000 people between the ages of 35 and 69.
The frequency with which participants ate small fish was measured at the beginning of the study using a food frequency questionnaire.
They were followed for an average of nine years and their medical records were shared throughout the study period.
Analysis found that women who ate small fish only one to three times a month were 32 percent less likely to die over the past nine years than women who rarely ate fish.
Fried whitefish. Analysis found that women who ate small fish only one to three times a month were 32 percent less likely to die over the nine years compared to those who rarely ate them
Marinated anchovies. The researchers said their findings suggest that including small fish in their daily diet could be a simple but effective strategy to extend women’s lives
A similar trend was seen in men, the team said, but the difference was not large enough to be statistically significant.
Writing in the journal Public Health Nutrition, the researchers said their findings suggest that including small fish in their daily diets could be a simple but effective strategy for extending women’s lives.
Dr Chinatsu Kasahara, one of the study’s authors, said: ‘Previous studies have shown that eating fish has protective effects on health, including mortality risk.
However, few studies have been conducted on the effect of small fish intake on health.
‘Small fish are easy for everyone to eat and can be eaten whole, including the head, bones and organs.
‘Nutrients and physiologically active substances unique to small fish can contribute to maintaining good health.
Grilled sardines. “The habit of eating small fish is usually limited to several coastal or maritime countries, such as Japan,” said co-author Professor Takashi Tamura
‘The inverse relationship between small fish intake and mortality risk in women underscores the importance of these nutrient-rich foods in the human diet.’
Sharp-finned herring are small, immature, silvery-colored species of herring that are usually sold frozen and fried, with lemon wedges, bread and butter.
Other small fish species regularly eaten whole in the UK include anchovies and dried sardines.
“The habit of eating small fish is generally limited to a few coastal or maritime countries, such as Japan,” said co-author Professor Takashi Tamura.
‘However, we suspect that eating small fish, wherever they are, could be a way to extend life expectancy.’