Around two million NZers buying seafood every week

Around two million New Zealanders buying seafood every week

2 April 2007

Findings from a Colmar Brunton survey of the general public commissioned by the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council show that almost half the population are having seafood for dinner at least once a week, says the Council’s chief executive Owen Symmans.

“An astounding 88% of the population eat fish at least once a month and 46% are eating it weekly,” Mr Symmans said. “This has to be a good sign for the health of the nation.”

The health benefits of including seafood in your diet one to two times a week are numerous, Mr Symmans said.

“We regularly receive the results of new research that confirms how good seafood is for long term health.”

Studies show that two or more servings of seafood per week may help:

* lower the risk of coronary heart disease

* lower blood pressure

* prevent arrhythmia in the heart muscle

* prevent a second heart attack in people who already have heart disease

* ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

* develop nerve and brain cells in infants

* promote good mental health

* reduce the risk of prostate cancer

* reduce Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio so that lung cancer is less invasive

* decrease the risk of bowel cancer

* ease inflamed airways

“I think most people know about Omega-3 oils and their positive effect on health. We’re very pleased to see that New Zealanders are eating more seafood regularly,” Mr Symmans said.

More information on the health benefits of eating seafood is available at www.greatestmeal.co.nz

The full report of the Colmar Brunton survey is available at www.seafood.co.nz and click Hot Topics.

ENDS

© Scoop Media