Canned tuna: beware of excessive consumption of this marine predator. It’s chock full of mercury. What do the scientists say?
Is Consuming Canned Tuna Really Bad for Our Health? What does science say about it? Eating fish is good for you and protects you from any pathologies, but the product that ends up on our tables is not always really safe for human health.
The quality of fish is deteriorated by intensive fishing, excessive use of drugs in aquaculture practices and pollution by microplastics. One of the main problems is contamination from methylmercurythe most toxic form of metal for human health.
Italy is the first EU country for mercury contamination in fish.
Mercury contamination in fish
Mercury is a heavy metal contained in fish, in particular, come on large predators such as swordfish, tuna, eel, dogfish and pike. Mercury contamination in fish is a problem that affects only those who reside in polluted coastal areas and consume local fish.
You should consume more fish containing essential fats, including sardines, salmon, mackerel and herring. Canned tuna comes from oceans which have a lower rate of pollution than the Mediterranean Sea. Fish that contain Omega 3 are also those that have a higher concentration of mercury.
Methylmercury in fish: what are the risks for the human body?
Mercury in fish accumulates in the red blood cells of the human body and is a serious problem for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Methylmercury penetrates the placenta and contaminates the milk.
Mercury in fish: is canned tuna safe?
Very often, especially in summer, we resort to the purchase and consumption of canned tuna, which provides vitamin B and fatty acids. Being a marine predator, tuna feeds on other marine animals already loaded with this heavy metal.
Being one neurotossina, it is good not to exceed the consumption of tuna cans. The advice is to do not exceed 2/3 portions per week. The European Commission has developed tolerable weekly doses, establishing a TWI for methylmercury of 1.3 µg / kg body weight.