Eating Fish Can Help Keep Your Heart Regular

A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology indicates that eating fish that are naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids appears to have a health promoting effect on the electrical system of the heart. This information is particularly important for people with cardiac arrhythmias to be aware of.

Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of Harvard Medical School analyzed data that was recorded for 5096 adults who were 65 years of age or older from 1989 to 1990. Specifically, electrocardiograms and dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish were analyzed.

Specific findings included:

1. Dietary intake of tuna or other baked or broiled fish at least once per week was linked to a slower heart rate than was eating these fish less than once per month.
2. Dietary intake of fish at least five times per week was linked to an even healthier heart rhythm. Intake of fish oil also produced similar beneficial effects on heart health.
3. Dietary intake of fried fish was not linked to any beneficial changes in heart electrical activity.

Before adding tuna to your diet to promote healthy heart electrical activity, please read our blog entry on brands of tuna that you may want to avoid.

To learn more about how to promote a healthy heart, view our article on The Best And Worst Foods For Your Heart.