Health facts and side effects.Tilapia.Learn more.
Tilapia is a small fish with a mild taste that is easy to prepare and relatively inexpensive. In 2016, tilapia was the fourth most consumed seafood in America. These fish are very adaptable and can survive even in poor water quality or crowded conditions. They grow quickly, making them a popular choice for farming, and are the most commonly farmed native species from the Nile River in northeastern Africa.
What concerns exist about tilapia farming?
Tilapia farming is present worldwide; this fish cannot tolerate cold water, so farming is usually done in warmer climates. Farming standards vary depending on the country and farming practices.
Tilapia is a very resilient fish that can survive in various conditions. If any of the fish escape, it can cause problems as they can become invasive species. In the U.S., tilapia is kept in closed systems to prevent fish from escaping.
Farming tilapia in crowded conditions can lead to disease and overcrowding.Algae.They eat algae but can survive on various foods. A high-quality diet and clean environment generally produce healthier fish.
Is tilapia safe to eat?
When fish are raised under good conditions, they are safe to eat. Tilapia is considered one of the best choices for pregnant or breastfeeding women and children over 2 years old due to its low mercury and contamination levels.
Does tilapia contain toxins?
Toxic chemicals can pollute the environment and harm health; they may exist in the tissues of animals, fish, and shellfish that people might consume. Many countries check for dioxins in food.Nutrients.They test for dioxin contamination.
Contaminated feed can be a source of dioxins, but as long as they use feed that meets safety standards, tilapia is unlikely to contain harmful levels of toxins compared to other fish.
What nutrients are present in tilapia?
Tilapia is rich in niacin,vitamin B12,phosphorus, selenium, andpotassium.Every 3.5 ounces contains:
Calories: 128
Carbohydrates: 0 grams
Protein: 26 grams
Fat: 3 grams
Niacin: 24%
Vitamin B12: 31%
Phosphorus: 20%
Selenium: 78%
Potassium: 20%
Tilapia is a source of protein and relatively low in fat. Eating fish is generally a healthy way to consume protein compared to fried, processed, or red meats. Tilapia also has lower sodium, calories, and total fat than other processed meats and unlike them, doesn’t have nitrates, which can potentially cause cancer.
Tilapia includes essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids
arebeneficial forheart health,vision, and joint strength. Omega-6 fatty acids can be less beneficial for health if people consume them in excess as they may cause inflammation or worsen existing inflammation.In tilapia, omega-6 fatty acids are more prevalent than omega-3 fatty acids. However, the total fat amount in tilapia flesh is low, so a person only consumes a small amount of omega-6 as long as they eat fish.
Due to the high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, tilapia is less nutritious than salmon. Still, it provides more omega-3 compared to other meats.
What are the benefits of tilapia?
People can eat low-fat fish at least twice a week as part of their diet. Tilapia is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein, both of which are important for good health. Choosing tilapia from a trusted source can reduce health risks.
What are alternatives to tilapia?
Low-fat fish contains relatively little fat and calories, making it a healthier choice. Tilapia is low in fat, but other fish also contain omega-3 fatty acids.
There are other low-fat, low-mercury fish with good omega-3 content that can be a healthier option than tilapia.
These include:
Salmon,
trout,
sardines.
Why should you not overeat tilapia?
Researchers found that dioxins, linked to the growth and development of cancer, are found in tilapia due to the feed fish consume. However, this does not mean they are generally contaminated.
It is always better to eat wild-caught fish. If you choose to buy farmed fish, you should look for fish that are free from hormones,
antibiotics,pesticides, and are certified.Serious concerns with tilapia fish have worried experts.
Eating tilapia is worse than consuming red meat:
You might be surprised, but some nutritionists believe that average tilapia consumption has more fatty acids compared to red meat.
In 2008, researchers from Wake Forest Medical School published a study comparing fatty acid levels among popular farmed fish. They found tilapia contains significantly lower omega-3 fatty acids than other fish like salmon and tuna. The theory suggests this may lead to heart diseases, cancer, and other chronic issues.
Tilapia is fed poor-quality food:
A study in 2009 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service stated that Chinese farmed fish are fed animal waste and commercially produced feed.
The report stated: “It’s common to allow livestock and poultry to roam freely on farms, and animal waste spreads on the farms and is used as fish feed.”
Researchers noted that “many fish farms and food processors in China are located in industrial areas where water, air, and soil are polluted by industry and vehicle emissions.”
Tilapia can cause
Alzheimer’s diseaseand cancer:Tilapia has ten times more carcinogens than other farmed fish due to the feed that growers typically provide, including waste, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. Additionally, as mentioned in the health section of SelMagz, fish may contain high levels of arachidonic acid linked to diseases like
Alzheimer’s.Antibiotics are used to remedy fish and boost their growth:Tilapia is fed antibiotics, malachite green, and methyl testosterone to maintain a healthy population and accelerate fish growth. The use of malachite green, a chemical dye, has been banned since 1983 due to its cancer-causing properties.In 2007, the FDA halted imports of farmed fish from China after finding antimicrobial agents, malachite green, and nitrofurans—yellow-green dyes known for treating fungal infections and shown to potentially cause cancer in the long term, while fluoroquinolones are used to increase resistance to antibiotics.Tilapia fish.
Farmed tilapia fish.
Tilapia fish.Is tilapia good or not?Tilapia fish.
Benefits of tilapia fish.
