Including oily fish in our diet is essential for a balanced diet. Among the most prized fish, there are tuna. Very nutritious and affordable, this fish has many benefits to health. However, its consumption should be limited, because it can be hazardous to health ...
Fresh tuna or canned is very often found on our tables. Salad or sandwich, baked or sushi, this fish is easy to prepare and above all delicious. Besides being affordable, the tuna is also very rich in nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids and protein that are required for the proper functioning of our body. One could almost speak of a perfect food if it does not threaten our health!
Indeed, the fat fish with multiple benefits can also be harmful because it is contaminated with mercury, a metal very dangerous for health, classified among the most harmful chemicals by the World Health Organization (WHO) .
What are the impacts of mercury on human health?
Mercury is a natural metal found in nature (air, sea and land). This is a toxic and hazardous material, which is in different forms with varying degrees of toxicity. This metal is particularly dangerous for children, infants and pregnant women.
There are also mercury in different products such as batteries, lamps, dental amalgams and in some cosmetics. But it is mainly dangerouse when we consume foods that contain it, including fish and specifically tuna. According to research, mercury, or methyl mercury (a methylated form of mercury), is much more present in predatory fish than small fish. However, in highly contaminated areas, even small fish may be touched by mercury.
According to a survey of the magazine 60 million consumers, fish products sold in the market contain poisonous contamination. Indeed, the researchers studied nearly 130 products, including 15 canned tuna cans of different brands, to discover that results were amazing!
All canned tuna cans containing metals mainly mercury, arsenic and cadmium, but at different doses!
These metals, mercury included, represent a real danger to health if consumed in excess. These toxic substances can affect the central nervous system, immune system and increase cancer risks. Methyl mercury, particularly are harmful to the fetus and children, because it can impact their neurological development. This metal can affect memory, vision or language.
To avoid health problems, it is important to limit consumption of tuna canned and choosing less harmful fishes!
What tuna and choosing how much to consume?
According to various researches, light tuna has less health hazards than white tuna (albacore). The latter tend to contain more mercury and therefore more harmful to health.
According to Consumer Reports', an American association of consumers, limit its white tuna consumption. For example, a person weighing 68 kg should take only one canned tuna per week. Light tuna, however, can be consumed a little more frequently, while not exceeding 3 boxes a week. The magazine also recommends that pregnant women should avoid eating tuna so as to avoid any health problems to the fetus.
What alternatives?
For pregnant women or to anyone who consumes a lot of fish, it is important to choose the best, so those that contain low levels of mercury.
Here some fish:
- Sardine
- wild salmon
- Haddock
- Cod
- Anchovy
- Bar