Bob Williams
When it comes to eating habits and diet, it is very important to keep a balance. In order for us to be healthy, we should eat a variety of different foods that cater different needs of the human body. Keeping a balance between the amount we eat of each different type of food is the key to keeping a right, nutritious diet at all times, which means that we will stay healthy.
Without a doubt, a very important part of everyone’s diet is eating fish. Fish are generally accepted as a very healthy type of food. However, if you don’t consume the right amount or if you don’t choose nice quality of fish, then you might be taking some risks.
The point of this article is to discuss all the benefits and risks of eating fish.
Benefits from eating fish
Let’s start off by pointing out the benefits that come from eating fish. First off, they are a good source of protein and vitamins. At the same time, they are a primary dietary source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Those omega 3 fatty acids are extremely good for your health. They can lower the levels of you triglyceride, they lower the risk of heart disease, they slow the growth of plaque in your arteries, and they also lower your blood pressure a little bit. All these are factors of a healthy heart. Omega-3 fatty acids are, however, not only needed for the health of your heart.
They also provide health benefits to developing babies. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can pass this nutrient to their baby by eating the right kind of fish. That’s why if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you shouldn’t avoid eating fish or other seafood, except if you are prone to serious allergies.
Risks that come with consumption of fish
Now that we have stated the benefits, let’s point out the risks that come with consumption of fish and other seafood. It is true that while eating fish has nutritional benefits, it also has potential risks. The main problem is that fish can take in harmful chemicals from the water and the food they eat. That is why the source of your fish is very important.
If you are an angler, and you catch the fish you eat on your own, then you might feel a sense of safety since you basically know exactly what you eat. It is necessary to fish in waters that are as clean as possible, in order to prevent eating fish that are highly contaminated by chemicals. Chemicals like mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) can build up in their bodies over time, which are very dangerous for humans.
High levels of mercury and PCBs can harm the person’s brain and nervous system. Mercury can be especially harmful to fetuses, infants, and children because their bodies are still developing. Also, PCBs can cause cancer and other very harmful health effects.
In order to make the right choices and avoid the risks without forgetting about putting fish in your diet, there are some things you can do. First of all, it is important to know that you can’t really know the level of chemicals that are in a fish by just looking at it or even by tasting it. Fortunately, there are easy things you can do to reduce your risk, and enjoy the health benefits of eating fish.
You could always check to see if there are advisories for water bodies where you fish. If there are, you can follow the advisories by picking species that are lower in mercury, PCBs and other harmful chemicals. It would also be equally helpful to go by the rules when you are fishing and cooking on your own.
We are here to help you, especially with the last advice. Our articles can give you a bunch of information from how to fish a salmon, clean, cook and eat any type of fish and seafood. Make sure to scroll through our site to find out about anything you’d like!
