Ever since we were little, our parents have always told us that fish is good for our health so we associate it with a healthy lifestyle. However, due to the human’s industrial activities, such as electricity generation from coal, smelting processes, and waste incineration, huge amounts of mercury end up in the waters.
Eventually, mercury accumulates in the fish we consume, posing a serious threat to our health.
A 2023 study by Environmental Working Group scientists suggests that “eating one freshwater fish equals a month of drinking ‘forever chemicals’ water.”
Forever chemicals, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are man-made chemicals that remain in the soil and our bodies for a very long periods of time.
According to CBS, “The total PFAS level in the freshwater fish was 278 times higher than what has been found in commercially sold fish, the study said.”
The FDA, EPA, and EDF offer guidance on safe mercury levels and advise which fish you should avoid.
1. Tilapia
Tilapia is fish you should avoid putting on your plate because it contains very low levels of beneficial Omega-3 acids but has high levels of omega-6 fatty acids that lead to inflammations.
2. Atlantic Cod
Consuming this fish doesn’t have to do with your health, but it is advised to avoid consuming it because overfishing of it over the years has led to high risks of extinction.
3. Atlantic Flatfish (halibut, flounder, and sole)
Flatfish like halibut are on the “do not eat” list due to overfishing and pollution. A 2014 Oceana report found that U.S. fisheries discard around 2 billion pounds of bycatch yearly. The California gillnet fishery, a major source of U.S. halibut, was among the worst offenders.
4. Caviar
The high demand of caviar, despite its high price, places the beluga fish on the list of fish facing extinction.
5. Chilean Bass
Sea bass is fish high in mercury levels and needs to be avoided.
6. Eel
Eels are crucial for protecting water supplies and play important role in spreading mussel populations that serve as natural water filters but due to overfish their number is considerably lowered.
This places the eel on the list of fish to avoid consuming.
7. Imported Basa, Swai, Tra, Striped Catfish
A study published in the National Library of Medicine showed that a great number of these fish, around 80%, were contaminated by Vibrio Bacteria, commonly associate with eating undercooked seafood.
8. Imported Farmed Shrimp
Shrimp production is associated with using various pesticides forbidden in the United States (except for one). Also, these shrimps are often treated with antibiotics and handling them raw comes with the risk of attracting an antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
9. Imported King Crab
10. Orange Roughy
Orange Roughy’s slow reproduction and harmful fishing methods make it unsustainable, so try to avoid its consumption.
11. Shark
Although having shark meat sounds like a real delicacy, these predators’ meat is high in mercury.
12. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Being the main ingredient of sushi, a well-known delicacy loved by millions, the population of this fish has dropped significantly.
13. Swordfish
Due to the extremely high levels of mercury it contains, women and children are advised to avoid this fish altogether, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Men are recommended to consume it not more than once per month.
14. King Mackerel
Just like a number of other fish on this list, King Mackerel contains high levels of mercury.
If you love fish and want it implemented in your diet, some species you may consider are wild-caught Alaskan salmon, Pacific Sardines, Atlantic mackerel, Albacore tuna caught in the US or Canada, Alaska Cod, Arctic Char, and Rainbow Trout, among the rest.
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Bored Daddy
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