"Life is like a box of sardines," declared English playwright Alan Bennett, author of "The History Boys," "and we are all looking for the key."

Well, if you’ve never managed to twist open the lid on a can of these little swimmers, maybe news of their many virtues will convince you.

ConsumerLab.com tested three popular brands of sardines and found they served up around 1,600 mg to 1,850 mg of the omega-3s DHA and EPA in every 3-ounce serving. That’s more than in a comparable serving of canned tuna.

In addition, sardines are very low in mercury; albacore "white" tuna contains 10 to 20 times higher levels.

Sardines are also protein-rich. The brands tested contained 12-22 grams in each 3-ounce serving.

The health benefits are wide-ranging. DHA and EPA reduce inflammation, protect your heart and brain, and help joints move more easily.

The one caveat — which also applies to canned tuna — is that the arsenic levels in sardines, while safe, mean you should stick to one serving a day.

If you want to try out these tasty fish, you're in luck! Check out Dr. Mike's book "The What to Eat When Cookbook." You can substitute sardines for salmon in various recipes, such as the one for wild sockeye salmon en papillote, or add them to pasta dishes such as pasta with harissa-roasted cherry tomatoes and spinach.