A study from Greece lends more support to the claim that eating fish is good for the heart. The large observational study looked at the impact of various dietary factors on cardiac arrhythmia, a condition where the heart beats irregularly and which can be fatal in many cases.

The research group from the University of Athens recruited over 3000 adults with an average age of 45 years. Assessments were made of their diet, alcohol intake, medication intake and physical activity. Doctors then carried out electrocardiograms to check for the presence or absence of cardiac arrhythmias.

It was found that subjects who ate 300g or more of fish per week (around two portions) were 13% more likely to have a normal heart function that non-consumers of fish. When other factors were considered, such as age, sex, body fatness, smoking and physical activity, the relationship between fish intake and normal heart function became even stronger – fish consumers were then 30% more likely to have a normal heart function. Lower resting heart rates were also seen amongst regular fish consumers, indicating healthy hearts.

For more information see:
Chrysohoou DB et al (2007). Long-term fish consumption is associated with protection against arrhythmia in healthy persons in a Mediterranean region – the ATTICA study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol 85, issue 5, pg 1385-1391.

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Health & lifestyle-Healthy eating
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