Diet of oily fish could protect us from fumes

EATING fish could help protect the brain from damaging air pollution, research now suggests.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in oily fish, may be important in preventing mental decline caused by living near busy roads.

The study found that older women who ate more than one to two servings a week of baked or grilled seafood were found to have higher levels of omega-3 in their blood. They also had less shrinkage of their brain as they aged.

And the participants living on busy roads with the lowest levels of omega-3 had fewer neurons in their brain than those who consumed more fish.

Previous research suggests that eating fish could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Lead author Dr Ka Kahe, from Columbia University in New York, said: ‘Omega3 fatty acids have been shown to fight inflammation and maintain brain structure in ageing brains.’

But she added: ‘It’s important to note our study only found an association between brain volume and eating fish.

‘It does not prove that eating fish preserves brain volume.’