Baked Fish Beats Fried for Omega-3 Boost
Study Shows Baked Fish Is Better for Heart Health Than Fried, Salted, or Dried
Nov. 19, 2009 (Orlando, Fla.) -- When it comes to reaping the heart-healthy benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in fish, it often comes down to how you prepare it, a study shows.
"The take-home message is that it's better to bake or boil the fish instead of frying it," says study researcher Lixin Meng, MS, a doctoral candidate at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. And adding a dash of low-sodium soy sauce will enhance the heart-healthy benefits, she tells WebMD.
Eating salted, dried, or fried fish, on the other hand, is not beneficial, Meng says. "But if it’s a fun occasion and you really want fried fish, do it the Japanese way -- stir-fry, rather than deep-fry it."
If the idea of eating fish, no matter how it's prepared, turns you off, take heart: Other researchers report they've genetically engineered soybean plants to produce oil that boosts levels of certain omega-3 fatty acids in the blood.
"This soybean oil could be an effective alternative to fish oil as a source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids," says researcher William Harris, PhD, chief of cardiovascular health research at the University of South Dakota's Sanford School of Medicine in Sioux Falls.
Both new studies were presented at the American Heart Association's (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2009.
Omega-3s Cut Heart Risk
The AHA recommends eating at least two servings of fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids like DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) a week to protect against heart disease, says AHA spokeswoman Alice Lichtenstein, DSc, a nutritionist at Tufts University.
Salmon, sardines, tuna, halibut, and mackerel are among the fish that are richest in omega-3s.
"How you cook the fish, the type of fish, and the amount of fish you consume [all impact its health-health benefits], but not enough attention has been placed on the best way to ensure you get enough of the fatty acids in your diet," says Lichtenstein, who was not involved with the work.
To help fill in the knowledge gap, Meng and colleagues examined the source, type, amount, and frequency of dietary omega-3 consumption among men and women in different ethnic groups.