Recently Netflix released a documentary called Seaspiracy. Seaspiracy is a documentary about aquaculture sectors and fishing. It has been making the wave in the news and internet because of the eye-opening claims it made. The documentary highlighted the environmental effects of aquaculture. There are other health concerns associated with fish as well.
Many myths about the health benefits of fish are prevalent throughout the world. Fish is unhealthy and can cause various issues and chronic diseases. Here are some of the important but overlooked dangers of eating fish-
Fish and Omega-3 Content
Most resources will say that fish is the best dietary source of omega-3 fats. However, this claim is problematic due
to many reasons. Firstly, there are plant-based sources of omega 3 fats, in fact, fish get their omega 3 by eating plants. These sources are less harmful and can meet the dietary requirements for omega 3 easily.
In fact, along with healthy omega 3 oils fish also contain a lot of saturated fats. All the fish we eat such as salmon or tuna derive at least 30% of calories from saturated fats. They also have high cholesterol content.
To put things into perspective- three ounces of Bassa fish has 80 milligrams of cholesterol, which is equivalent to cholesterol found in three ounces of steak.
While omega 3 is said to be good for the heart and known to prevent heart conditions, there are several side effects of eating fish every day. It can clog your arteries and cause excessive weight gain.
The dangers of eating fish far outweigh the health benefits. Hence, it is better to eliminate fish from your diet.
Fish and Water Pollutants
There are several sources of water pollution. Apart from the industrial waste that is directly dumped in the ocean, plastic waste also makes its way into seawater. Many industrial pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, dioxins, and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) pollute the water. These are absorbed by the fish in one form or the other.
When we eat the fish that have absorbed these pollutants, these harmful chemicals accumulate in our bodies.
This is one of the dangers of eating fish that cannot be ignored.
These pollutants accumulate in the body and cause a wide range of health issues. They impact heart health negatively and cause other problems such as poor immunity, poor brain development, liver damage among other problems. Even short-term exposure to these pollutants can cause serious damage.
Mercury Levels in Water
One of the many side effects of eating fish every day is long-term exposure to high mercury levels. Mercury in seawater has been rising due to pollution and global warming. Global warming causes a rise in ocean temperatures, leading to the rise in mercury in fish.
A study conducted in 2004 suggested that an estimated 84% of the world’s fish contained unsafe levels of mercury in them.
Mercury is a heavy metal and causes a plethora of health problems. High levels of mercury have been linked to health problems related to blood vessels, the heart, nerves, and the brain.
High levels of mercury are linked to diabetes. Studies show that increased exposure to mercury causes diabetes. People who were exposed to mercury had 65% higher chances of developing diabetes.
Not only this, mercury is known to cause heart problems. One of the dangers of eating fish is the increased risk of heart disease. The benefits of eating Omega 3 fats are overpowered by the harmful effects of mercury.
Not only does eating fish harm the environment and contribute to climate change and pollution levels, but they are also equally harmful to your health and cause various health problems.
Omega 3 can easily be found in plant-based sources such as Brussels Sprouts, Chia seeds, Hemp Seed. Walnuts, Flaxseeds, Beans, and Squash. These plant-based sources can be substituted instead of fish meat in your everyday diet. This will help you avoid the dangers of eating fish.
Making conscious choices and small changes in your diet can go a long way. It will help prevent numerous diseases and help your body heal naturally. Avoiding fish meat will benefit both the environment and your health immensely. Make the switch to a healthier lifestyle today! Choose a whole food plant-based diet!
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