Health Benefits
Fish has so many great nutritional benefits going for it. It’s a fantastic source of protein, typically low in fat, and by consuming a variety of the different types, it will provide many different vitamins and minerals, each offering wide ranging benefits to the body.
Omega 3
Omega-3 are polyunsaturated fatty acids that can be found in oily fish, some nuts and seeds and fish livers. Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats in the diet has been shown to lower blood cholesterol. High cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the types of Omega-3 fatty acids that occur naturally in oily fish. The recommended daily intake of Omega-3 is 250mg of EPA and DHA. Consuming this daily intake of Omega-3 has been shown to help keep the heart functioning normally. Why not try some of our natural salmon range or Omega fish fingers for a tasty way to get more Omega-3?
Vitamin D
Known as the “sunshine vitamin”, our bodies can make Vitamin D by absorbing ultraviolet light from sunlight through our skin. Unfortunately, we can rarely make enough Vitamin D to meet our daily needs and factors such as age, skin colour, weather and skin safety can all affect the amount of Vitamin D your skin can produce. For this reason it is recommended that you get at least 5μg a day from food sources. Vitamin D helps with the normal absorption of calcium and phosphorus and with the normal growth and maintenance of bones and teeth. You don’t have to wait for a sunny day to boost your Vitamin D intake with our delicious salmon range.
Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient that we need to eat in relatively large quantities in order for our bodies to function properly. The Reference Intake (RI) for protein is 50g a day for an adult, needs can vary based on weight, activity levels and development stage. Protein is a component in every cell in your body, from your skin, hair and nails to your hormones, bones and blood. Your body can produce some of the proteins that are needed but there are some that the body can’t make. These proteins are known as essential amino acids and you need to get these from your diet. You might already know that eating protein is important for the growth and maintenance of muscles but did you know that protein is also needed for the maintenance of bones? It is particularly important for the growth and development of bone in children. All of our Donegal Catch products are a source of protein, so there are plenty of options to get more protein on your plate.