Public Health Nutrition recently published a Japanese study demonstrating that regular consumption of small whole fish could prolong life expectancy, particularly in women. Researchers from Nagoya University, led by Dr. Chinatsu Kasahara, observed that eating small fish such as Japanese icefish, Atlantic capelin, Japanese smelt, and dried sardines could reduce the risk of all-cause mortality, particularly cancer.
The team followed 80,802 Japanese participants, aged 35 to 69, over nine years. Using a food frequency questionnaire, they assessed each participant's intake of small fish. During this period, 2,482 deaths were recorded, about 60% of which were due to cancer. Data analysis showed that women who frequently consumed small fish had a significantly lower risk of mortality compared to those who seldom ate them.
Public Health Nutrition reports that women consuming small fish 1 to 3 times a month, 1 to 2 times a week, or 3 times or more a week had a 32%, 28%, and 31% lower risk of all-cause mortality, and 28%, 29%, and 36% lower risk of dying from cancer, respectively, compared to those who rarely consumed them. These results remained significant even after adjusting for various factors such as age, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), and nutritional intake. However, these rates do not show a consistent correlation between the amount consumed and the reduction in mortality risk.
Men showed a similar trend, albeit not statistically significant. This difference could be due to the limited number of male subjects or other unmeasured factors, such as portion sizes of small fish. Researchers also mention the possibility of a sex-specific association between the type of cancer and small fish consumption.
The study highlights that eating whole small fish, which are rich in calcium and vitamin A, could be a simple and effective way to improve health. Dr. Kasahara, enthusiastic about these findings, notes that although the study was conducted in Japan, its conclusions could be relevant to other populations. Small fish are affordable and nutrient-dense, making them particularly beneficial in developing countries suffering from severe nutritional deficiencies.
Illustration image Pixabay
Incorporating small fish into a daily diet could thus reduce mortality risks and improve longevity, especially in women. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects in other populations and understand the underlying mechanisms.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND