Sardines are a type of small, oily fish that contain a lot of important nutrients. Both fresh and canned sardines have health benefits, including helping to fight inflammation and supporting the health of your heart, bones, and immune system.
Can you eat sardines every day? You should eat at least one portion (140 grams or 4½ ounces) of fish every week, and sardines are a good choice because of their plentiful nutrients. But oily fish generally collect higher levels of contaminants than other types of seafood.
But are they just as healthy when you get them canned vs. fresh? Unfortunately, fresh sardines and canned sardines are not equal in nutritional value. Canned sardines are often packed in oil, water, mustard, tomato, or other sauces that can increase sodium levels.
Sardines are high in protein, rich in omega-3 fatty acids (associated with heart health benefits), and filled with certain important vitamins (especially D and B12) and minerals (such as calcium). However, sardines packed in oil are high in sodium and cholesterol, so daily consumption of them is not advisable.
The fact that a serving of sardines serves up a whopping 136% the RDV certainly helps its case as a superfood.
There are a whole lot of options when it comes to sardines, but the best are packed in olive oil. Water-packed sardines just won't have the same rich flavor and can taste a bit water-logged. Oil, however, locks in the fish's flavor and keeps each sardine super-moist.
Still, tuna is high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and Vitamins B and A. This fish is also a good source of iron, phosphorous, and selenium. Sardines do not have a lot of mercury in them, so they're healthier in that regard. They mostly survive on plankton.
The tiny, inexpensive sardine is making it onto many lists of superfoods and for good reason. It packs more omega-3s (1,950 mg!) per 3-ounce serving than salmon, tuna, or just about any other food; it's also one of the very, very few foods that's naturally high in vitamin D.
You can simply eat canned sardines as are. You may want to drain the liquid they come in. You can easily add some oil, mayonnaise, hot sauce, mustard, or other seasonings; put them into a salad, or grill with some onions and garlic to seal in additional flavour.
There's nothing inherently wrong with Cooper's five cans of sardines per day regimen. It's not like he's eating five bags of chips. Sardines are good for you. The same thing is true if you make it a habit to eat a chicken breast and salad for lunch every day.
One of the best ways to help repair and nourish skin is by eating food that contains omega-3 fatty acids and good oils. Oily fish is one of the best sources, and sardines in particular are rich in omega-3 and selenium, which helps repair the skin after UV damage.
A study places salmon, sardines and anchovies among the most beneficial types of fish due to their high protein content. Grilled, boiled or steamed, fish is nutritionally far more highly recommended than meat. In fact, there's little that can trump it.
While they are both excellent sources of protein and add to your nutrient profile, the benefits of fish tend to be slightly higher than chicken, especially when it comes to the Omega-3 content in it.
Sardines
Sardines provide 2 grams of heart-healthy omega-3s per 3 ounce serving, which is one of the highest levels of omega-3 and the lowest levels of mercury of any fish. They contain a great source of calcium and Vitamin D, so they support bone health, too.
Drain the oil out of the can.
Sometimes a recipe will tell you to use the oil straight from the sardine can– and I regularly use the canned oil in my cooking. However, keep in mind that the oil from the can will taste fishier than fresh oil.
Canned sardines
At the cannery, the fish are washed, their heads are removed, and the fish are then smoked or cooked, either by deep-frying or by steam-cooking, after which they are dried. They are then packed in either olive, sunflower, or soybean oil, water, or in a tomato, chili, or mustard sauce.
Similar to shrimp, sardines are a potent seafood source of cholesterol. An ounce of sardines contains as much as 40 milligrams of cholesterol, and it's easy to eat more than an ounce at a time.
Sardines
Omega 3s are good fats, and contributes to about 30% the brain's weight, and alter dopamine and serotonin, which are brain chemicals linked to mood. Adding omega 3s to your diet is good for your brain's health, and keeps brain cells flexible and have it work more efficiently.
The best in terms of lowering cholesterol are tuna, salmon, and swordfish. Sardines and halibut are good options, too.
The omega-3 fatty acids found in some types of fish — such as salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel — enhance the functioning of immune cells, says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, of Sparta, New Jersey, the author of 2-Day Diabetes Diet and a consultant for Swisse Wellness.