6 types of fish that are 'familiar' but contain high levels of mercury: Experts advise not to eat too much or you will get sick

Fish has been a staple in many of my family's meals for a long time, because I heard it's very good for children's brains, especially since industrially raised poultry contains a lot of harmful antibiotics, so I often increase fish dishes for my family.

Before, I didn't know what fish to eat and what not to eat, I just bought whatever I liked, but yesterday I went online and saw an article listing fish that contain very high levels of mercury, which is harmful to human health. Specifically, the names of the fish are as follows:

Illustration/Source: Internet

Salmon

Salmon is a very nutritious and healthy food, because it is a food source containing a lot of Omega-3 fats rich in EPA and DHA. These are substances that play a particularly important role in the development of the nervous system, brain, vision, and cardiovascular system.

Although salmon has many health benefits, nutritionists recommend that you should not eat it every day because it contains mercury and other toxins that we can absorb during digestion. Although mercury will eventually be eliminated from the body, too high a concentration can be very harmful. Therefore, you should not eat this type of fish more than 4 times a week.

Mackerel

Mackerel contains a certain amount of mercury. This substance cannot be excreted but accumulates in the body causing illness. Atlantic mackerel is considered the safest, adults can eat 200g/month, children 100g/month.

Illustration/Source: Internet

Tuna

Tuna is a type of fish that contains a lot of mercury, especially bluefin tuna and blackfin tuna. In addition, wild tuna sold in stores is quite rare, they are now farmed more, so we cannot ignore the case of tuna often used antibiotics and hormones, creating substances that are not good for the human body. Health experts advise that adults should only eat 100g of tuna per month, children are not recommended.

Eel

This fish is very fatty and easily absorbs industrial and farm waste from water sources. Eels imported from the US are said to contain the most toxic substances. European eels are also contaminated with a lot of mercury. Adults can eat 300g of eel per month, children 200g per month.

Crooked fish

Also known as the squarehead fish or the peach fish, this fish tops the list of fish that are susceptible to mercury poisoning, increasing the risk of food poisoning. The fish is found in some areas of the Mekong River.

Chilean Cod

Striped cod is safe to eat once a week and with no other seafood. However, Chilean cod is a fish to avoid because, although rich in omega-3s, it can contain up to 86% more mercury than the recommended limit.

How dangerous is eating fish contaminated with mercury to health?

Fish is very good for the body, but according to WHO (World Health Organization), if pregnant women eat fish contaminated with mercury, it can seriously affect the development of the fetus' brain and nervous system, and cause lifelong consequences such as impaired learning, memory, and movement.

Even for non-pregnant women and men, mercury poisons the nervous system with symptoms of tremors, difficulty in speaking, memory loss, paralysis... In addition, it affects the digestive system, immune system, lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. If mercury poisoning is through eating and drinking at high doses, the risk of death is very high.