Do you enjoy eating tuna not just because it is tasty, but also for its health benefits as well? You probably have heard how tuna can contain mercury, which is toxic to humans. The World’s Healthiest Foods breaks down the pros and cons of tuna and provides suggestions for those looking to get the maximum health benefit.
So what are some of the “pros” for tuna? Tuna, especially albacore tuna, is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3’s help with preventing inflammation in the human body. In fact, one five-ounce can of tuna contains significant amounts of both EPA and DHA, which are both Omega-3 acids
Why does tuna contain mercury? Tuna absorbs mercury from containments in the ocean. The mercury becomes concentrated in the fish, which is then passed on to you when you eat it. This would certainly be a “con” when it comes to deciding whether or not to purchase tuna, especially from canned albacore tuna.
Researchers have found that to get the maximum benefit of omega-3’s from albacore tuna you would need to consume nine servings of seven ounces per serving of the fish each month. This is so you can get about 500 milligrams of EPA/DHA. However, the maximum number of servings per month recommended avoiding high levels of mercury is 3 servings per month.
So what are consumers supposed to do? The Worlds’ Healthiest Foods recommends that you shouldn’t completely avoid tuna, but don’t use it as your only source for omega-3’s. Instead, include tuna as just one of several types of fish to get the omega-3’s you need. Other kinds of seafood that contain omega 3’s include:
- Salmon
- Tilapia
- Trout
- Shrimp
Another reason to keep tuna in your diet is that it also contains a high amount of selenium. This mineral also has anti-inflammatory properties and is unusually concentrated in tuna.
Want to learn more about the pros and cons of tuna? You can read the full article here: “What are the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Tuna?”
