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FOOD IS ONE of the great pleasures of life, isn’t it? There’s nothing quite like that feeling of satisfaction after a really good meal.
But as well as choosing food we love, it’s important to be aware of the health implications. (Somehow, knowing that a delicious dinner could also be good for you makes the whole thing taste a lot more satisfying.)
Fish is well known as a food with good nutritional properties. But what are some of the lesser-known benefits of fish dishes? We’ve taken a look at the science behind the sizzle:
Fish is rich in protein, the essential building blocks of the body – required not only to build muscles but also for the body to repair and recover.
If you’re counting your macro-nutrients, you’ll know that protein (along with carbohydrates and fats) should be a component of every meal. Delicious white fish is one way to pack in lean protein at lunch or dinner, with far less fat than beef.
Now for the science bit. Oily fish is a rich source of two key Omega-3 fatty acids, which are not only essential for your body functioning as it should, but also have some potential health advantages.
For example, the fatty acids from the likes of salmon, tuna and trout can reduce stiffness and joint pain – with some studies indicating they may even up the efficacy of anti-inflammatory medication to boot.
Not only this, but Omega-3 helps lower elevated triglyceride levels (we told you things got sciencey).
Basically this means that people who eat oily fish or otherwise ensure regular consumption of these fatty acids have a lower risk of heart disease. In a nutshell, eating fish can help keep your heart healthy.
B12 is essential for a whole rake of bodily functions – such as the brain and nervous system, cell metabolism and DNA synthesis.
Humans are not capable of creating vitamin B12 ourselves in the body, so it’s essentially we get lots of it in our diets. Here’s where eating the catch of the day comes in – oily fish and shellfish are some of the only proven sources of it.
Our bodies need iodine to help our thyroid tick along on an even keel. The thyroid is the place where essential metabolism hormones are created, as well as hormones involved in the brain and bone development of children (and pregnant women).
To give your iodine levels a boost, try scallops, sardines, prawns, tuna and cod, which are all a great source of the mineral.
A lot of us may be deficient in Vitamin D without realising – especially as a key source of it for the body is related to sunlight, which is often a rare occurrence in Ireland.
Vitamin D is essential for good functioning of the immune system and oily fish is a brilliant source of it and remains one of the few ways you can get it by diet alone.
Along with vegetables like sweet potato, spinach and carrots, salmon and tuna are a good source of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant and also helps vision.
Vitamin A helps absorbs light from retinal receptors and aids the functioning of the conjunctival membranes and cornea, so your sight can stay razor sharp.
Birds Eye Fish Fingers are rich in Omega fatty acids and the natural goodness of the sea. Not only that, but they’re a delicious option for any snack, lunch or dinner. Looking for some tasty fish finger ideas? Look no further. While you’re at it – click here to find out how to win a fun family day out, courtesy of Birds Eye.
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Great news story, a lovely read for a Friday :-)
Fair play to them.
who would thumbs down that comment, wankers!
Fair play lads, I wish you much success.
Thats the sort of innovation Ireland needs.
And they have to leave Ireland, wish they could of stayed in Ireland
Congrats to @patrickc and brother John Collison @collision on latest $18m funding!
This isn’t Twitter you know
Delighted to see these two brothers getting on so well.I am sure they will go far. Fair dews to them.
Fair dues
I stand corrected
They deserve it. Their main product has removed one of the last barriers to market for anyone setting up a new business or wanting to operate a small business. Brillant.
Spot on Peter.
Couldn’t be happier about this. Great people, great product, great investment.
Really amazing entrepreneurial spirit but wish it could have been further developed in Ireland rather than California :)
Why can’t we make it attractive for guys like that to start up/ keep their business in Ireland . What are the politicians doing??
I dont think it can be entirely blamed on politicians..I dont think Ireland has the same startup environment that california has…and I think its a lot to do with our attitude towards entrepreneurs…and lack of VC funding perhaps..I think to imitate an environment like california, Ireland needs a spark, and for lots of people to take risks, both on their own ideas and on other peolpes…and also to think big, these guys obviously have done that but id say they are one of very few in Ireland. Maybe the draw of having like minded people around is what took them to the US?
First time I’ve ever seen a story on the Journal without a single “thumbs down” good work lads.
of course just as I send my comment…………ah well, still a great story
Great news hope it goes well for the young men,best of luck,it’s what Ireland needs at these times
Chris money doesn’t buy genius it’s fairly obvious these boys are something special really proud of them all do I don’t know them
Congratulations to them ! It’s a shame they couldn’t be incorporated in Ireland and employ Irish people, but the truth of the matter is that our universities are not producing graduates of the calibre required to start a tech company and guide it to success .
A corollary to that is the total funding vacuum that exists for tech startups in Ireland , whether it is venture or angel investment. Enterprise Ireland lack the domain knowledge required – a software startup costs peanuts to fund initially ; most of the cost goes on rent and food but EI and their ilk want to give you way more money than you need in exchange for way more equity than you want to give away, on top of ridiculous conditions like needing to hire a minimum number of people and spend a minimum amount which you will then be reimbursed for.
We will never have a so called smart economy if this doesn’t change and we will continue to produce mickey mouse companies that turn a tiny profit and hire a tiny amount of staff.
I don’t agree 100% with the calibre of graduates in Ireland. i think that the problem is more so the numbers of people doing IT/science subjects. There are some pretty smart people coming out of some pretty good courses at the moment but nowhere near enough.
Very well said Eric. The government should make it easier for the existing it contract development community to setup business and go it alone. I have 12 years experience lots of good ideas but I can’t take s year off ti try something without
Free office rent
A grant of about 45 k a year
And free access to broad band and hardware
Give me that enda and in 5 years I would employ at least 5 if not mire people
The thumbs down on the site is getting a bit ridiculous.
@ Chris Gardner – Your very much mistaken these guys went to a public school in Limerick, if their parents wanted elite education for them they could have sent them to Glenstal not far away. The only downfall with this type of talent in Ireland is that we don’t know how to nurture them past the R&D stage. These guys are in the mould of Gates & Zuckerberg,just a shame we couldn’t keep them but the v best of luck to them.
These Brothers while they deserve their hard work it must be pointed out that they came from an enormously priveleged family with basically unlimited resources. They were destined to do well getting every and all help along the way. Not the story of the vast majority of irish young men. As I said I am thrilled they are doing well but I and millions like me never had these priveleges growing or resources. Its a pity all Irish school goers do not get the same equalities and indeed come to school facing enormous disadvantages, We won’t be reading about them anytime soon.
Well done lads.
There should be a http://www.coderdojo.com in every town/village in the country! Time to ditch fable studies and get programming languages into schools!
OMG lads yis are a legend, well done, I’m as proud of you both as if I were your mother! Wonderful…
They’re set up for life then! Well done to them!
Congratulations to you both
The very highest levels of protection must be provided for intellectual property such as this for the most obvious of reasons. I’m certain that the naysayers and petty critics who believe that it’s acceptable practice to thieve from owners of such valuable property will slink to the sidelines while these young lads bask in well deserved glory.
Fantastic achievement lads…well done!
Your welcome Palo Alto, California.
“You’re welcome” dummy
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