Your stomach is growling, and the only thing you can think of to satisfy it is seafood. Is this really the best choice from a health standpoint? According to scientists, doctors and seafood aficionados, the answer is a resounding yes.

While you certainly don’t need any excuse to head out for a delectable meal of steamed shrimp, grilled swordfish or poached salmon, you may want to do it more often after you find out the health benefits of seafood. If you crave seafood, and your family and friends don’t seem to understand why, just point them in the direction of this article for some eye-opening facts.

Seafood Keeps You Moving and Grooving

As arthritis sufferers know, it can be tough to find a nonmedicinal way to ease aches and discomfort. Seafood that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as mackerel, trout, salmon, tuna and herring, has been shown to help with joint pain. Eating seafood on a regular basis will make it simpler to get out of bed in the morning and feel less stiff and sore. Even if you don’t have arthritis, seafood can reduce symptoms related to overexercising and overexertion.

Seafood Has a High Nutritional Content

Talk about a food that’s packed with vitamins and minerals. No matter what kind of seafood you choose, you’ll enjoy the unique health benefits that come from getting the daily recommended amounts of a variety of substances. For instance, did you know:

That’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Do a little research on the ingredients that are included in your next plate of seafood, and you may be shocked to learn how healthy you’re eating.

Seafood Shows in Your Skin

Our skin takes a beating, from dealing with the daily rigors of life to being bombarded with heat, sunlight, cold and even pollution. Help your skin stay supple and soft by feeding it the goodness that comes from seafood.

Seafood with omega-3 fatty acids assists your skin during the natural regeneration process. It has also been connected to a reduction in certain skin cancers caused by too much direct sunlight exposure, as well as a reduction in acne.

Seafood Could Improve Your IQ

Seafood might not actually improve how smart you are, but it does seem to provide better brain function. Some researchers have even suggested that children who eat seafood have better neural development. For those who are at hereditary risk of Alzheimer’s disease, seafood could provide a way to ward off the progression of the condition.

There are other unique health benefits of seafood, too, and you can discover them all by starting a diet that includes your favorites from the sea.