A day for fish after meat day

“EPA Day” (EPAの日) takes place on the 30th of every month. It purposefully follows "meat day", which is on the 29th of every month. The reason is to encourage people, especially those who eat a lot of meat, to balance their diet by choosing fish the day after “Meat Day!”

EPA is Eicosapentaenoic Acid, an essential fatty acid found in blue‑backed fish such as sardines, mackerel (pictured), and horse mackerel. EPA supports heart and vascular health by lowering triglycerides and helping prevent conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and arteriosclerosis. A famous 1960s study of Greenland Inuit communities, whose diets were rich in marine‑derived EPA, revealed remarkably low rates of heart attacks despite eating little to no vegetables.

The hope is that the monthly anniversary will serve as a reminder for healthier eating habits year‑round. Do you eat fish rich in EPA?