Seafood intake may help close nutrition gaps in Brazil, study suggests

A new nationwide analysis suggests Brazil’s seafood intake is too low to substantially close common diet-related nutrition gaps, despite the country’s long coastline and rich marine life. Published in Nature Food, the study combined household dietary records from more than 30,000 participants with nutrient data for protein sources and regional fisheries statistics. Researchers estimated average seafood consumption at 5.3 kilograms per person per year—below recommended targets—and linked intake levels to deficits in nutrients such as vitamin A and calcium. The authors projected that increasing seafood’s share of total protein from 6% to 25% could reduce deficiencies, but they also warned of supply constraints in several states where demand could exceed sustainable fisheries output. The paper calls for nutrient-informed, sustainable governance.