Food trends: Sardines are back in fashion! (&they look sexy)

The tiny oily fish has many benefits when it comes to your skin, hair, and body. You can wash them with Dirty Martini.

Sardines are back to fashion! Packaged in vibrant tins adorned with cartoon-like small fish, this protein-rich food has quietly become a favored healthy meal choice. This is understandable: sardines belong to a group of foods known as

SMASH, which includes sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon, and herring.

These fish are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in reducing inflammation, enhancing heart health, regulating blood pressure, and supporting healthy brain function. Their anti-inflammatory benefits contribute to improving skin appearance by fortifying the skin barrier and minimizing moisture loss.

Sardines are packed with nutrients. They offer excellent protein and, since you usually consume the tiny bones, they also provide a good amount of calcium. When you include vitamin D and selenium, two other crucial micronutrients abundant in sardines, you get a comprehensive skin-supporting powerhouse.

Photo: Matthew Kelly / Supercall

Sardines possess a bold, umami-rich taste with mild saltiness and a firm, meaty texture. These unique attributes make them perfect for pairing with beer, which can both complement and contrast their robust flavor. We belong to the group that loves the briny fish and can't get enough—even the oil is utilized in our version of a Dirty Martini. We fat wash gin with the omega-3-rich sardine oil, mix it with dry vermouth and olive brine, and finish the salty creation with buttery, sardine-stuffed castelvetrano olives. It’s delightfully savory, soothingly silky, and everything fans of the classic, olive-soaked cocktail could desire.