Fish and seafood have long been considered as the healthiest type of animal meat for our diets. Fish has been regarded as the perfect protein source- lean, with a lot of healthy fats that are good for the heart.
However, due to the increasing presence of mercury in some fish species, reports have claimed that limiting or even avoiding fish is the safest way to prevent diseases and complications, especially for pregnant women.
An analysis conducted by Consumer Reports has concluded that consumers should avoid fresh fish with the highest mercury content such as tilefish, swordfish, shark, and king mackerel. Meanwhile, they advised to limit consumption of higher-mercury fresh fish such as Chilean sea bass, halibut, grouper, and tuna.
Consumer Reports has also stressed that all types of canned tuna be avoided by pregnant women. Although the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have not posed a warning against light canned tuna due to its reported lower mercury content, Consumer Reports advises pregnant women to simply stay away from it.
The FDA and EPA have released a joint announcement, recommending 2-3 servings per week of low-mercury fish for pregnant women. This is a total of about 12 ounces. Canned light tuna falls under the low-mercury fish category. Experts believe that the FDA/EPA may have overlooked the harmful effects of mercury due to the advantages and health benefits of fish (low in saturated fat, a lean protein, naturally abundant in omega 3 fats).
Despite the positive effects, its negative implication is sweeping and highly damaging- mercury can intoxicate the nervous system. Despite strict recommendations for a safe limit of mercury in the blood, a number of scientists and researchers agree that mercury intake, no matter how seemingly safe and limited, has long-term health effects.
Mercury's health risks are higher for people with low body weight levels. This proves that children are at a higher risk for mercury-related diseases. Fetuses are also easily affected by mercury, causing possible impairment in the developing brain and nervous system, according to Consumer Reports.