Tuna is one type of fish consumption that has many benefits for the health of the body. However, behind the benefits of tuna, there are other dangers that lurk you if you eat too much of it. To find out more clearly the dangers of tuna, see the following explanation:.
Tuna is a fish that has a high content of omega-3 fatty acids. The content of omega-3 fatty acids contained in tuna meat is clearly useful for the health of the human body. For example, to lower triglyceride levels, control bad cholesterol in the blood, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
In addition, omega-3 fatty acids are believed to be able to prevent the formation of plaque deposits on the walls of blood vessels and reduce inflammation throughout the body. Although tuna is healthy, if consumed in excess it can pose a threat to your health.
Dangers of Tuna for Health
According to research on several types of fish conducted in America, tuna is included in the category of fish with a high mercury content. Eating fish with a high mercury content can cause health problems if you are not careful in the processing.
In the body, mercury will be a poison that can interfere with the work of the brain and nervous system, and pose other threats to health.
Moreover, if consumed by children, mercury will affect the child's brain development and cause learning disorders and developmental delays. Meanwhile, consumption of mercury in pregnant women will cause the fetus to experience growth retardation, brain paralysis, and nerve damage that causes blindness.
In adults, high enough mercury consumption can affect blood pressure. A person experiencing mercury poisoning will usually show symptoms such as impaired vision, insomnia, muscle weakness, tingling or numbness, difficulty speaking, tremors, headaches, and memory problems.
Eat Tuna Wisely
Don't worry about the mercury content in tuna. This fish is still relatively safe, as long as you eat it wisely and know which type of tuna is safe for consumption.
Not all tuna has a high mercury content. Body size and type of tuna can affect the amount of mercury. For example, white tuna or albacore may contain higher levels of mercury than other types of tuna. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women, and women who are in a pregnancy program are advised to be more careful in consuming this type of tuna, because it can harm the nervous development of the fetus or baby.
But if you choose to eat white tuna or albacore, it is recommended to pay attention to the dosage. It is not recommended to consume fresh white tuna more than 150 grams per month. As for canned white tuna, it is not recommended to exceed 300 grams a week.
For those of you who are pregnant and want to eat fish with high omega-3 content, you can choose other types of fish, such as catfish, salmon, anchovies, and sardines. This type of fish is safe for consumption and has a low mercury content. Even so, you should still limit the consumption of these types of fish and do not consume more than 150 grams a week.
As for children, you can still give them tuna, but keep an eye on the size. Children aged 7 years and under are not recommended to eat tuna fish more than 50 grams per week. While children aged 8 years and over are not recommended to eat tuna fish more than 75 grams per week.
Although tuna is a healthy food that is rich in omega-3, children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and women who are planning to become pregnant are advised to be more careful in consuming tuna. To find out more about how much tuna is still safe for you to consume, you should consult a doctor.
