Researchers discovered that making the switch could reduce the number of people with disabilities caused by diet-related diseases and help address the climate crisis.
A striking contrast to the health risks of red meat, forage
fish has emerged as an unparalleled nutritional superfood, a highly sustainable
alternative, and the most widespread salmonid in global waters. With its
nutritional changes, this dietary change is not only favourable for our health
but also brings about positive changes for the planet.
Due to the discovery of the positive effects of forage fish,
today, a team of Australian and Japanese scientists is working to reveal the
numbers that could be affected worldwide. In their extensive evaluation (over
100 countries provided), they have proven that red meat swapping offers more
health and environmental benefits for fish.
Scientists have suggested that substituting beef for fish
could save about 750,000 lives a year and eliminate about 15 million
disabilities from overeating.
The researchers concluded that carrying around such a diet
would be especially necessary for low—and middle-income countries, where these
fish are cheap and abundant and where the damage induced by heart disease has
been highly publicised.
In their BMJ Global Health manuscript, they concluded,"
To protect both human health and the planet, we should reduce our red meat
consumption and focus on foods that are healthier to eat and have less impact
on the environment.' "Unlike red meat, which contains more objective,
nutritious fats, seafood serves as a good source of essential nutrients and
reduces NCDs.
Thus, although this research has been done, it indicates
that a change to the red meat diet of fish can bring many health benefits to
society (offering 0.5m-0.75m fewer deaths from diet-related NCDs), especially
cardiovascular in reducing disease.
The essential omega-3 and thirty-six polyunsaturated fatty
acids found in foraged fish play an important role in preventing coronary heart
disease. They are nutrient-dense, with ample calcium and vitamin B12. In
addition, the researchers noted that there is an animal food source with the
lowest orbiter footprint.
The situation is even more serious at the moment as more
than 75% of pelagic fish is turned into fish meal and fish oil, which are the
main products used in aquaculture today.
The researchers estimated the future proliferation of cells
in four different scenarios representative of different market availability
patterns of four fish worldwide. They provided scenarios of future red meat
consumption and historical fishing in marine areas for 137 countries in 2050.
Dietary changes have the enormous potential to prevent up to
750,000 diet-related premature deaths and 15 million disability-adjusted years.
The researchers said that with limited food fish stocks, it
is unfair to pretend that red meat can be completely replaced. Nevertheless,
changes in chemotherapy can significantly reduce morbidity worldwide.
"Current research suggests that white or forage fish is
a better alternative to red meat," the researchers wrote. This study
highlights the need for policymakers to adopt a balanced fish-based food policy
agenda alongside fish, with nutritional guidelines to care for future fish
consumption composition and promote the use of fish feed.