Ndallo
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 1, 2010
- 7,621
- 4,311
Fish is among the healthiest foods you can eat. It's filled with good fats and protein, and has been shown to fight heart disease, boost brain health, and more.
Here's the catch: You can easily cancel out these health benefits if the fish you eat is contaminated with mercury, antibiotics, or harmful chemicals like PCBs. Use this quick-and-dirty guide to help you steer clear of suspect species that carry higher-than-average health risks
.Imported Catfish
Why you should avoid it: Imported catfish may contain antibiotics banned in food in the United States.
Farmed Eel
Why you should avoid it: Farmed eel is potentially high in PCBs and mercury.
King Mackerel
Why you should avoid it: King mackerel tends to contain high levels of mercury.
Orange Roughy
Why you should avoid it: Orange roughy is high in mercuryand also overfished.
Chilean Sea Bass
Why you should avoid it: Like orange roughy, Chilean sea bass are both overfished and may contain mercury.
Shark
Imported Shrimp
Why you should avoid it: Imported shrimp may contain antibiotics and chemical residue.
Swordfish
Why you should avoid it: Like many larger species, swordfish is high in mercury.
Tilefish
Why you should avoid it: Tilefish are high in mercury.