Seafood Nutrition Partnership preparing Summer of Science campaign

The Seafood Nutrition Partnership has found regular consumption of seafood has a positive benefit for mental health.

Mental health has become a primary major public health concern in the United States, with depression and anxiety affecting a minimum of 6 percent of U.S. adults. 

“Over the past 20 years, dozens of studies evaluating more than 20,000 cases of depression have shown that eating eight to 12 ounces of fish per week (about two to three servings) and/or consuming omega-3 fish oil supplements significantly reduces risk for major depression," SNP said in a press release.

SNP said the consumption of nutritious and healthy foods, including seafood, can help Americans facing depression. The American Psychiatric Association has endorsed the consumption omega-3 fatty acids in fish being a successful and effective method for depression treatments and headache reduction.

“If you are taking anti-depressant medication, research reports the nutrients in fish may make them work better. Mental health medications work better in people with better nutrition,” the American Psychiatric Association said.

Countries with higher fish consumption rates have lower rates in depression because fish act as a multivitamin for the brain, SNP said.

The findings come as SNP prepares to launch its annual Summer of Science campaign to spread knowledge about the human health benefits of seafood consumption. The campaign begins 1 June and will combine in-person events, webinars, and social media activities. It will culminate in the sixth annual State of the Science Symposium, taking place 22 September, 2022, in Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

Previous state of the Science Symposium events have reviewed research revealing the positive benefits of seafood consumption, such as links found between seafood consumption and cognitive and neurocognitive development.

“I invite you to discover the science behind the power of seafood – why it is so vital to our health and the health of the planet,” SNP Scientific Nutrition Advisory Council Chair and University of Texas at Austin Professor Tom Brenna said. “This Summer of Science series and the State of the Science Symposium offer conversations with leading subject-matter experts and researchers to highlight the crucial role seafood plays in our well-being. We expect to highlight important topics such as vital nutrients for baby brain development, mental health resiliency, and healthy aging.”

The Seafood Nutrition Partnership is a nonprofit organization formed to address seafood deficiency in Americans’ diets and to build awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of seafood.

Photo courtesy of Seafood Nutrition Partnership