U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
Seafood Benefits
[Running time:  ~ 1:35]

Welcome and thanks for listening to focus on ag research from the Agricultural Research Service or A-R-S.  A-R-S is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific research agency.

Are you getting enough seafood in your diet? Seafood has been associated with reduced risk of heart disease. An A-R-S study shows that we’re not eating enough fish and shellfish to meet federal dietary guidelines.

Oily fish such as salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel, and sardines are rich in natural compounds known as omega-3 acids. 

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended eating two servings—about 8 ounces--of seafood weekly. However, A-R-S recent research shows that about 80 to 90 percent of U.S. consumers are not meeting their seafood recommendations. Proportions of seafood consumption varies by sex, income, and education level. Groups associated with eating less seafood are women, ages 19 to 30, and people of lower income and education levels. 

If you want to make sure you’re getting enough seafood in your diet, a U-S-D-A interactive website is available to help you use the federal dietary guidelines. Get started by logging onto ChooseMyPlate.gov.

That’s our podcast for today. To learn more about this research, visit AgResearch magazine at www.agresearchmag.ars.usda.gov.