Why Health Experts Are Putting A Red Flag On The Consumption of Tilapia 

Savoring seafood and indulging in the fruits of the sea can be a marvelous experience. It opens the doors to unique, exotic, rich tastes and textures. It is also a great way to supply your body with vital nutrients and vitamins. Take Tilapia, for example; it’s the most popular farmed fish and highest-selling in the United States because it is quite inexpensive. 

Seafood has always been quite pricey because of its nutritional value, and the high cost of this superfood limits people from consuming it. Therefore, it is no surprise that people purchase the most affordable type of fish. 

With this in mind, health experts are now putting a red flag on this popular fish and cautioning the public to avoid the consumption of Tilapia as much as possible.

One of the main reasons experts warn people to avoid eating Tilapia is because farm-bred fish contains lower levels of healthy and beneficial nutrients. According to Wake Forest University School of Medicine researchers, Tilapia scored much lower on the omega-3 fatty acid chart than other fish.

The primary benefit of eating fish is the omega-3 fatty acids, which help decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, Tilapia contains large quantities of omega-6 fatty acids, which are unhealthy for you as research suggests that omega-6 fatty acids might contribute to inflammation. Since Tilapia contains more omega-6 fatty acids than a hamburger or bacon, these red flags can be justified as this fish carries a more significant inflammatory potential. 

While omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, omega-6 fatty acids can potentially cause cancer. The problem with omega-6 fatty acids is that our body can convert some of them into another fatty acid called arachidonic acid, and this acid is associated with inflammation, blood clotting, and blood vessel constriction. 

Tilapia is the second most farmed fish in the world, and the main reason behind this is its hardiness. This fish can adapt easily and eat anything, which is terrific news for the farmers but not so wonderful for us, the consumers. Usually, farmers would need to spend money on fish food, but it has become common practice for them to feed it with chicken feces and pig and duck waste.      

Farm-raised Tilapia may contain dioxin, which is a very toxic chemical compound contributing to the development and progression of cancer. It can have adverse health effects over time and cause other health complications. 

The health concern about this toxic chemical is that your body is unable to flush this substance out for the next 7 to 10 years. This implies that the high levels of dioxin in your body increase the chances of developing cancer. 

So, if you love eating fish and you are faced with the potential risks of consuming Tilapia, you might as well consider an alternative to satisfy your fish appetite.

Fresh Water Coho Salmon is regarded as the healthiest fish choice since it contains between 700 to 1800 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids, which ranks it as one of the top choices for fish.

This particular option may not be considered a favorite, but it’s certainly very healthy for you. Sardines have been labeled as one of the world’s superfoods. It contains more omega-3 fatty acids (1,950 mg) per 3-ounce serving than a serving of salmon, and it is high in vitamin D.