Sardines vs. Fish Oil Supplements: Which Is Better for Your Heart?

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Sardines vs. Fish Oil Supplements: Which Is Better for Your Heart?

By Stephanie Brown Medically reviewed by Patricia Mikula, PharmD

Fish oil supplements have not been shown to protect your heart.

Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

• Sardines are a good and cheap source of heart-healthy omega-3s and other nutrients.  
• Fish oil supplements may not help your heart and could increase the risk of irregular heart rhythms. 

Research shows that sardines are an inexpensive source of omega-3s and other heart-healthy nutrients like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. This type of fish might even make a better alternative to fish oil supplements.1

Can Fish Oil Supplements Protect Your Heart?

While fish oil supplements are popular among U.S. consumers, there’s not much evidence to show that these supplements benefit heart health, said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, director of Mount Sinai Heart in New York.

“In fact, it’s quite the opposite. There is data from large trials showing that they don’t provide any cardiovascular benefit,” Bhatt told Verywell.

If anything, he added, fish oil supplements have been shown to increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation—the most common type of irregular heart rhythm.2

Bhatt said that omega-3 fats are typically better consumed as part of a healthy diet, rather than “isolating one component and taking it at a large dose” with a supplement.

Should You Start Eating More Sardines?

Sardines and other types of fatty fish are heart-healthy if they’re consumed along with a dietary pattern that’s also rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, according to Maya Vadiveloo, PhD, RD, an associate professor of nutrition and food sciences at the University of Rhode Island.

“Regular consumption of fish and seafood, which sardines would fall into, aligns with a heart-healthy diet,” Vadiveloo told Verywell. “When people are consuming more fish, ideally they’re replacing less healthy sources of protein, like red meat, with that fish.”

Sardines could also be a more accessible and affordable alternative to salmon, especially since canned sardines are readily available and have a long shelf life.

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What to Look for When You Buy Sardines

However, you might need to pay attention to what other ingredients are added to the canned sardines, which are sometimes packed in olive oil, water, or tomato sauce and might be high in sodium, according to Emma Laing, PhD, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics based in Athens, Georgia.

“Individuals who must monitor their sodium intake for health, such as those who have high blood pressure, should be mindful of the ingredient labels,” Laing told Verywell in an email.

You should also avoid canned sardines that have a damaged, rusted, or swollen container, she added.

Are There Any Health Risks to Sardines?

Sardines may be a nutrient-dense fish, but they’re also increasingly contaminated with microplastics3 and heavy metals like arsenic.

Laing also cautioned that sardines contain purines, which may cause a buildup of uric acid and worsen symptoms like joint pain and swelling for people with gout.

Even if you don’t eat seafood, she added, you should still be able to get enough omega-3s from other dietary sources without needing to take a supplement.

For example, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and certain fortified foods are also rich sources of omega-3s.4

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By Stephanie Brown
Brown is a nutrition writer who received her Didactic Program in Dietetics certification from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Previously, she worked as a nutrition educator and culinary instructor in New York City.