What Is Mackerel?

For starters, mackerel isn’t just one fish. There are many types of fish that we refer to commonly as mackerel, such as Atlantic Mackerel, King Mackerel, Jack Mackerel and more. Mackerel usually belongs to the Scombridae family, but species like Jack Mackerel and Horse Mackerel belong to the Trachurus family. All of these fish are small, oily fish.

Most canned mackerel are the small, mild, meaty Atlantic mackerel that we used to can and sell (we recently discontinued that species due to overfishing concerns). In this article, we'll talk about our new source of mackerel, Chilean Jack Mackerel.

Chilean Jack Mackerel fresh from the sea.

Is Mackerel Good for You?

In short, yes. These little silver swimmers benefit your brain, heart and muscles as well as cell function throughout your entire body. Here’s a few specific reasons to give mackerel a try.

Helps keep the brain and nervous system healthy

Mackerel is rich in omega-3 fatty acids—a type of polyunsaturated fat found in each of your cells, supporting their healthy function. Omega-3s are crucial to brain development in utero and early childhood, and may even help prevent Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Mackerel also provide choline, a nutrient involved in regulating memory, mood and muscle control.

Promotes heart health

The two best-known types of omega-3s, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), have proven especially effective at protecting the heart. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a daily intake of 250 milligrams of EPA and DHA reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. When you consider that 100 grams of mackerel contains 898 mg of EPA and 1,401 mg of DHA, it’s no wonder the American Heart Association recommends adults eat two servings per week.

May protect against type 2 diabetes

According to a study in the journal Nature Reviews Cardiology, polyunsaturated fatty acids—abundant in mackerel—have been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Builds and repairs muscles

Eating about 20 grams of protein before going to bed gives your body protein to build and repair muscles while you sleep. Mackerel’s high protein content of well over 20 grams per serving makes it a healthy bedtime snack (sounds weird, we know, but you can’t argue with science). Mackerel is also a source of the amino acids called leucines, which promote muscle growth too.