Fish is an essential part of a balanced and healthy diet. But did you know that there are types of fish that are less nutritious and less healthy and should ideally be avoided?
Despite being considered very healthy, fish is not all the same, just as meat is not all the same. As the Spanish Business Insider explains, there are types of fish that doctors recommend avoiding because they can do more harm than good, especially if eaten frequently.
Benefits of fish
Yes, fish can be very healthy. Fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines are rich in omega-3s, which are excellent for helping to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and for preventing cardiovascular disease, so eating them is highly recommended.
They also have the advantage of being relatively affordable and can even be bought canned.
Fish is also rich in B vitamins, which play a fundamental role in metabolism, as well as being essential for keeping the nervous system healthy, explains Business Insider.
Finally, fish is an excellent source of protein, which is essential for tissue repair and growth.
Which fish to avoid in your daily life
As already mentioned, fish can be very healthy, but there are types that doctors recommend avoiding, especially when they have a lot of mercury. These are:
- Panga, also known as catfish
For some time now, catfish (or panga) have been the subject of controversy because they come from highly polluted areas. In addition, this fish also contains very high doses of mercury.
- Tilapia
This is not a very common fish in Portugal, although it can sometimes be found. Online, there are diet plans that recommend it, but it seems that it should be avoided. According to Business Insider, tilapia has been classified as dangerous due to various food safety issues.
- Fish from Lake Victoria
Fish from Lake Victoria should be avoided as the perch contained several harmful substances, such as pesticides and mercury.
Attention should also be paid to large fish that may have high amounts of mercury, such as pike, swordfish, emperor fish and bluefin tuna.
