Tuna is an affordable seafood option that can be used in everything from sushi to casseroles to sandwiches. This fish is high in protein and low in fat, making it an appealing option to people on certain diets. But it also comes with some controversy. The biggest concern about tuna is the risk of mercury poisoning. All seafood contains trace amounts of mercury, which is found in seawater and gets absorbed by ocean life (via Vice).
When too much of this metal is consumed, it can cause poisoning and various health issues. Because tuna are large fish, they tend to absorb a lot of mercury before they are caught and sold to consumers. But according to Vice, you would need to eat a lot of canned tuna to experience toxic levels of mercury. “Tinned tuna is a very low source of mercury, so people would have to be eating at least three cans a day for about six months before it really became a concern,” Melanie McGrice, an accredited practicing dietitian, said. “Even pregnant women, who are one of the cohorts most at risk of mercury toxicity, can eat a small, 95-gram can on a daily basis throughout their pregnancy without concern of mercury toxicity.”
You should be able to eat small amounts of canned tuna every day without issue, but Medical News Today recommends waiting three to seven days between eating tuna based on your body weight.
Tuna straight out of a can can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. You can simply eat it as is, or mix it with some mayonnaise, mustard, or hot sauce for added flavor. You can also sprinkle some salt, pepper, or lemon juice on top for a quick and easy snack.
What to know about mercury poisoning
While your risk of mercury poisoning is lowest when eating canned tuna, it is still safe to consume moderate amounts of other types of this fish as long as you are aware of the risks and signs of mercury poisoning. According to Healthline, small amounts of mercury are found in many foods. Small traces shouldnt cause any issues for the average person. However, consuming large amounts of mercury can cause serious health issues. Mercury poisoning results in neurological effects like irritability, memory issues, anxiety, and depression. Other symptoms of this condition include lack of coordination, muscle weakness, vision changes, and hearing and speech problems.
Children and pregnant women need to be particularly careful about their intake of foods that contain mercury, including tuna. According to the FDA, pregnant women should eat no more than 12 ounces of canned tuna per week or no more than four ounces of albacore or white tuna per week. Depending on their age, children should eat between two and eight ounces of canned tuna per week and avoid other types of this fish.
Some types of tuna are better than others
There are many different kinds of tuna. The size of the fish when it is typically caught and the environment it lives in both affect how healthy the fish is (via The Healthy). Yellowfin tuna, for example, should be avoided as much as possible. A 2017 study found that yellowfin tuna can carry up to 36 times more pollutants than other kinds of this fish. These pollutants include things like flame retardants, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which can cause a variety of health issues when consumed too often. Albacore and skipjack tuna are two good alternatives that have a similar flavor and texture but do not contain as many pollutants.
The FDA also lists bigeye tuna as a type of fish to avoid due to high levels of mercury. According to WebMD, bluefin tuna is also high in mercury, as well as other types of fish including swordfish, imported marlin, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel. If youre concerned about how much mercury is in the fish youre eating, speak with your healthcare provider. They can help you determine which types of fish to eat and how much to eat depending on your age and health concerns.
Is Canned Tuna Safe To Eat? Experts Weigh In On The Benefits Of Eating The Canned Fish | TIME
FAQ
Is it healthy to eat tuna on its own?
Can I eat canned tuna directly?
Is it safe to only eat tuna?
Is eating tuna straight from the can healthy?
Is tuna safe to eat?
However, tuna is still safe to eat in certain amounts. This article explains how much to eat without affecting health and clarifies the risks of consuming too much. Mercury is odorless and invisible to humans. Once in the body, however, it can act as a neurotoxin and interfere with the brain and nervous system.
Which is better, salmon or tuna?
Wild salmon is healthier, but it is also harder to find and more expensive. But if we compare farmed salmon with wild tuna, tuna wins.
Can you eat tuna every day?
Although tuna can be a healthy, high-protein lunch or snack, it is generally not recommended to eat tuna every day. Vary your seafood intake as well as your overall proteins, focusing on lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, eggs, plant-based proteins like legumes and soy, lean red meat (occasionally), vegetables, and whole grains.
Can you eat canned tuna?
Too much canned tuna can result in mercury poisoning. Canned tuna is great but I would advise against eating every day How I always make it: mix mayo, salt, pepper, and some chopped pickles and spread it out on a sandwich. Yes they’re safe to eat straight out of the can.