Salmon has long been touted by nutritionists as a wonder fish full of health benefits. So dutifully (and perhaps because it tastes so good) you've been having salmon baked, grilled, raw in sushi and sashimi or however else prepared without knowing it's numerous nutritional benefits. Well, wonder no more and learn why salmon is such an exceptional fish for the health conscious.

Salmon is an immensely popular fish thanks in large part due to it being high in essential omega-3 fatty acids. As the adjective "essential" suggests, omega-3 fatty acids are necessary to our survival because it cannot be manufactured by our bodies and it must be obtained from food sources. One of these food sources is the salmon.

Researchers have long wondered why the Inuit population have such a low occurrence of heart disease despite a diet of fatty fish. But the fish they eat are high in omega-3 fatty acids which has since been proven by the medical profession to be beneficial for the combat of heart disease.

The numerous benefits of this essential fatty acid include the reduction in the risk for fatal heart arrhythmia since omega-3 acids increases heart rate variability, a measure of heart functionality. It also helps lower triglycerides which are linked to cardiac diseases while boosting HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol. Eating omega-3 rich foods such as salmon has also helps to prevent high blood pressure. Moreover, due it being an anticoagulant for blood, these fatty acids help in the prevention of strokes.

As described, eating salmon for their nutritional properties has numerous benefits pertaining to heart functionality and blood flow. However, the benefits do not just stop there.

Fish has often been classified as brain food and with good reason. The brain is composed of more than 60% structural fat. The fatty acids found in fish like salmon help to move nutrients across the fatty membranes of our brain cells and help to eliminate the wastes. Related studies also show that cognitive related problems such as Alzheimer's, dementia and even behavioral disorders can be improved by the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids.

If that is not enough, there is even more good news with regards to eating salmon. Promising studies show that omega-3 fatty acids might help protect against colorectal and prostate cancer.

Given all these benefits in eating salmon and those yet to be discovered, it's not wonder that the salmon is such a popular fish. It also helps that it tastes good too so bring incorporate it as a regular part of your diet.