Dr. A. David Smith, principal author of the study said scientists have found that elderly men and women who have more fish on their diet scored better on memory, visual conception, spatial motor skills, attention, orientation and verbal fluency tests.
Smith said, "All six cognitive tests were performed better by those who ate fish," add added that an increase of about 80 grams of fish per day in your diet, will increase memory retention.
The study was conducted to 2,031 men and women, aged between 70 and 74 in Western Norway by assessing their cognitive abilities and the average daily amount of fish and seafood in their diets.
At least 1,951 of those studied said they ate 10 or more grams of fresh, frozen or canned fish and seafood everyday, or fish products such as cod liver and fish oil, while the remaining 80 participants ate less than 10 grams daily.
Researchers have found that those eating fatty or lean fish performed significantly better in five of the six cognitive tests, compared to those who consume or who did not eat fatty or lean fish.
Smith said, "Secondly, we need to discover what components of fish are important. Since we found that lean fish was as good as fatty fish, it may not just be the omega-3 fatty acids that confer cognitive benefit."
The scientists suggest for additional research to determine if the improvement in cognitive abilities from fish and seafood consumption depend on the type, or species of fish or on the preparation.
