Two types of fish you should not eat much

Fish and seafood are familiar and nutritious foods for humans. However, you need to be careful when using some types that contain high levels of mercury.

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A study by scientists at Dartmouth College, USA, found that people who eat fish and seafood regularly are twice as likely to develop Motor Neurone Disease (MND) as those who do not eat or eat less.

Scientists surveyed 518 people about how much seafood they consumed in a year, and found that 294 people had developed MND. They also measured mercury levels by taking toenail samples from the participants.

Long-term exposure to mercury is calculated based on the frequency of eating a variety of seafood, including those low in mercury such as sardines and salmon.

Swordfish and shark meat contain very high levels of mercury, which can increase the risk of MND and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), long-term consumption can cause serious brain damage and can lead to death.

Shark and swordfish are two types of seafood that contain high levels of mercury. Photo: Getty Images.

“For many people, fish is part of a healthy diet. But the long-term accumulation of mercury in fish can have serious health effects,” said lead researcher Dr. Elijah Stommel.

Mercury is harmful to humans when it is exposed to air and inhaled into the lungs. It exists in an organic form (methyl mercury) that can enter the body when humans eat certain fish, especially large fish such as shark, swordfish, and tuna. Swordfish and sharks are thought to have the most mercury, because they are at the top of the food chain. They eat smaller fish, so the amount of mercury accumulates over time.

Mercury is a rare metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust. It is released into the environment mainly due to human activities, such as from coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, mining, and burning coal for heating and cooking.

Experts advise adults to eat shark or swordfish only once a week. Children and pregnant women should not eat these fish.

According to Zing