The web is full of claims about so-called 'superfoods', but without in-depth studies to back things up, it's hard to know just what is true and what is not.

One of those foods packed with much-touted benefits is fish, being a source of omega-3 fatty acids. And it's also the food that author Paul Greenberg decided to eat every day for a year, and documented in a new Frontline documentary, The Fish on My Plate, which debuted on Tuesday.

Any health food nut will be familiar with the promised benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, which are famously found in fish, such as lowering blood pressure and preventing stroke.

A long road: Writer Paul Greenberg consumed more than 700 seafood-based meals over a year to test the effects of omega-3 fatty acids

Tucking in: The author stars in a new Frontline documentary about his experience, The Fish on My Plate , which debuted on Tuesday

Looking out: He went to the doctor before and after the experiment to document his progress - or lack thereof

Yet, despite the fact that there is little evidence that conclusively proves these claims, they were enough to lead to 18.8 million people to have taken omega-3 fish oil supplements in 2012.

A more recent study from 2016 even found that consumption of the supplements continues to be on the rise.

So, to try and see once and for all if gorging on fish would result in miraculous benefits, Greenberg embarked on a journey that would see him consume more than 700 seafood-based meals over the course of one year.

Before starting his new diet, Greenberg visited his doctor to see what health niggles he had that may be improved upon through regular seafood consumption.

'I've got slightly elevated blood pressure. I've got cholesterol issues. I have depression issues. I have sleep issues, and I don’t like it,' he says at the beginning of the new documentary.

'So I started to listen to the soft purr of the omega-3 industry: This is everything they’re supposed to fix.'

The documentary was filmed just as Greenberg, who previously penned Four Fish and American Catch, researches his upcoming book The Omega Principle.

Along the way: During his journey, Greenberg learned about the fishing industry and the other benefits of eating seafood

Shock ending: Greenberg later learned from his doctor that his health was 'virtually the same' one year later

Not the end: The Global Organization of EPA and DHA Omega-3s responded to the documentary saying that 'every individual is different' and that lifestyle is also a factor

'HEALTH BENEFITS' OF OMEGA-3 Omega-3 fatty acids are often touted as being incredibly beneficial to a person's health, with findings show that omega-3 may help to: - Lower blood pressure Reduce triglycerides - Slow the development of plaque in the arteries - Reduce the chance of abnormal heart rhythm - Reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke -Lessen the chance of sudden cardiac death in people with heart disease Source: WebMD Advertisement

Over his journey, Greenberg discovers fascinating facts about America's dietary habits and the fishing industry, including the fact that a fish will take a journey of an average of 5,000 miles before landing on your plate.

However, at the end of the experiment, the writer was crestfallen to return to the doctor and learn that his results were: 'virtually the same. Unchanged.'

In fact, the only differences were that his blood pressure had actually raised by a tiny increment - a likely result of increased salt intake - and that he had elevated mercury levels, which were actually harmful to his brain function.

Though Greenberg claimed that he felt better and had others comment that he looked better after the seafood-filled year, the medical results certainly don't seem to favor the $30 billion omega-3 industry.

But there were other benefits, as Greenberg argues that eating fish is much better for the environment than eating any land-based creature.

In response to the documentary's findings, the Global Organization of EPA and DHA Omega-3s told BuzzFeed News: 'Every individual is different and these clinical endpoints — cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides — are impacted by many lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, stress, etc.

'That’s why large population-based studies are so important to determine cause and effect because they can actually detect the impact of one factor like omega-3 consumption.'