Perch, shark, tuna: 10 types of fish that are better not to eat – an expert from the Institute of Health

Marine pollution is harmful to both the environment and human health. Brian Clement, head of the Institute of Health and author of Killer Fish: How Seafood Harms Health, is convinced of this. The man noted that many types of fish we eat contain metals, industrial chemicals, and pesticides. This has a bad effect on the human body. Fish "feast" on these substances at sea and ocean depths.

Read the key points from Brian's book in OBOZREVATEL's article: what fish should be removed from the diet to avoid becoming a victim of infected inhabitants of the seas and oceans, as well as fraud by manufacturers of these products.

Recommendations for buying fish

Brian Clement advises that before buying fish, you should read the information on the labels. You should also find out

• the country of origin;
• what conditions the fish were kept in: natural or farmed;
• if it is a wild fish, how it was caught;
• how the fish was raised (in open water (there is a risk of contamination) or in an indoor pool).

The expert also believes that it is better to refuse fish that is not typical for a certain time of year or is too cheap for its species. Remember that it is extremely difficult to detect fraud involving the substitution of expensive varieties with more budgetary options. And this is a popular practice today. Always check whether the product is certified.

In addition, Clement advises that when choosing frozen fish, pay attention to the shelf life. If the label says more than 14 days, you shouldn't buy it. What kind of fish should you partially or completely avoid?

1. Wild sea bass

Before eating, find out where the perch came from. If it is from Chile, then there is bad news – this fish contains a lot of mercury, so an adult should eat it no more than 2 times a month. Better yet, don't eat it at all.

In addition, do not buy wild sea bass from Crozet and Prince Edward Islands. In these locations, marine life is caught uncontrollably. It is permissible to consume this fish imported from the Falkland Islands and Macquarie or from the coast of Argentina.

2. Tilefish

According to Clement, this fish should be completely removed from the diet. Its meat contains too much mercury. Moreover, fishermen rarely comply with the rules during fishing, so there is a risk of getting infected or even spoiled fish on your plate. It's not worth the risk. Wherever the tilefish is imported from, it is impossible to guarantee that it will be safe.

3. Atlantic largemouth bass (deep sea bass)

This species of fish lives up to 100 years. Of course, no one checks its age when they are caught. Just imagine how many toxic substances deep-sea bass, which are 70-90 years old, contain. In addition, this fish should be abandoned to preserve the species, because its population has not recovered from its popularity several decades ago.

4. Shark

In the book, Brian wrote that most fish and shellfish accumulate mercury in their tissues throughout their lives. It can cause severe damage to the human central nervous system. The shark accumulates this substance in its body when it eats small fish that have had time to "eat" the chemical. It is believed that sharks have the highest amount of mercury in their bodies (in terms of weight and size).

In addition, today the population of these fish is the lowest in history, as they are massively caught and killed.

5. Royal mackerel

Mackerel is a fish from the mackerel family. A specialist from the Health Institute advises against eating it for babies and pregnant women. Men should eat no more than one serving per month. The reason is again the high mercury content. The safest version of this fish is Atlantic.

6. Swordfish

This is one of the fish that is actively used by chefs: it has a delicate flavor and few bones. It is often eaten raw, simply cut into thin slices, and poured with sauce. This delicacy hits you hard on the pocket, and there's not much benefit from it. Why? Read the previous paragraph about sharks.

7. Ruveta, or oil fish (white tuna)

This fish is extremely tasty, but excessive consumption will lead to uncontrollable diarrhea. Ruveta also contains hemipylotoxin, a substance with an oily flavor that the human stomach cannot digest.

8. Bluefin tuna

Almost all types of tuna contain mercury. In addition, they are caught before the onset of reproductive age, using methods that are dangerous to nature. As a result, fishermen also injure other sea creatures.

9. Red snapper

Due to the decline in the population of this fish, stores, and restaurants often began to replace it with budget species. At the same time, they do not change the name "red snapper". So when you order a dish, you get tilapia or sea bass. And it's even worse if you get spoiled or improperly transported lucian.

10. Store-bought rolls and sushi

When buying these delicacies in stores, remember that they are made from low-quality fish. For example, tuna is treated with carbon monoxide to make it last longer and get a bright red color. In general, tuna should not retain its rich color after freezing. In addition, it is not a given that the shelf life and conditions under which these dishes were prepared are correctly indicated on these products in the store.