Shark fins and meat from hammerhead sharks pose a health risk to consumers — especially women of childbearing age — and should not be sold because of their dangerously high levels of toxic mercury, according to a new study. Laura García Barcia, an FIU Ph. D.
Is there mercury in shark fins?
A team of international researchers discovered that shark fins contain high levels of mercury — in most cases, much higher than what’s legally considered safe for human consumption.
Is shark fish high in mercury?
Summary. Fish that contain high levels of mercury include shark, orange roughy, swordfish and ling. Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and food.
Are shark fins safe to eat?
On average their bodies will contain mercury accumulated over 20 to 30 years,” Chen said. Last month a woman in Taiwan who ate shark fin at least once a week was diagnosed with mercury poisoning, she said. “Mercury will not dissolve in cooking,” Chen warned. “It is harmful to the brain and nervous system.
What does shark fin contain?
However, the fin is purely cartilage, the same compound in human, cow and other vertebrates. Cartilage has no nutritional value. Any benefit would come from the broth and other ingredients added. A 2012 study of fins from seven species of shark found a neurotoxin known as BMAA in 80 percent of 29 samples.
What fish has the most mercury?
Overall, larger and longer-lived fish tend to contain the most mercury ( 4 ). These include shark, swordfish, fresh tuna, marlin, king mackerel, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, and northern pike ( 5 ). Larger fish tend to eat many smaller fish, which contain small amounts of mercury.
Why does shark meat have mercury?
Sharks have been found to contain the highest concentrations of methyl-mercury than any other seafood due to bioaccumulation and their place at the top of the food chain. Cooking does not eliminate mercury.
Why we should not eat shark fin soup?
Recent evidence tells us that shark fins contain high concentration of mercury and methylmercury, which toxins may cause potential health impact including the risk of neurological disorders, infertility, and coronary heart disease. Furthermore, shark fin is tasteless, so why eat it at all?
What fish is lowest in mercury?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that to consume those higher amounts, children should only be fed fish from the “Best Choices” list that are even lower in mercury – these fish are anchovies, Atlantic mackerel, catfish, clams, crab, crawfish, flounder, haddock, mullet, oysters, plaice, pollock, salmon,
Is Salmon full of mercury?
Salmon is low in mercury.
Both wild and farmed Atlantic salmon have much lower mercury levels than most other fish species. Farmed salmon has on average, 0.05 micrograms of mercury per gram.
Why do people eat shark’s fin?
Shark fins are tempting targets for fishermen because they have high monetary and cultural value . They are used in a popular dish called shark fin soup, which is a symbol of status in Chinese culture.
Why do Chinese people eat shark fin?
The cartilage in the fins is usually shredded and used primarily to provide texture and thickening to shark fin soup, a traditional Chinese soup or broth dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The dish is considered a luxury item embodying notions of hospitality, status and good fortune.
What is shark meat called in restaurants?
Alternate names for shark meat include flake, dogfish, grayfish, and whitefish. Imitation crab (surimi) and fish and chips are sometimes made from shark meat as well.
How much mercury is in shark cartilage?
86-265 micrograms
They used very sophisticated analytical lab tests to determine mercury and BMMA levels. The study detected 86-265 micrograms of mercury per gram of shark cartilage.
Is shark fin soup toxic?
THURSDAY, March 1 (HealthDay News) — Shark fins contain high levels of a neurotoxin called BMAA, which is linked to neurodegenerative diseases in humans such as Alzheimer’s and Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), according to a new study.
Is shark fin soup illegal in the US?
Even though finning is illegal in the United States, the trade in shark fins is not, which is why 13 states, including Texas, have banned the sale and possession of the products.
How do you rid your body of mercury?
A diet rich in various nutrients and vitamins has been shown to promote mercury elimination from the body. Some of these nutrients include selenium, glutathione, and vitamins, including vitamins C and E. Besides, green algae called chlorella is also helpful in removing mercury from the body.
How can I reduce mercury in my body?
If you have mercury poisoning with a very high level of mercury in your blood, your doctor will probably recommend chelation therapy. This method involves using medications, called chelators, that bind to mercury in your body and help it to exit your system. Chelators can be taken as a pill or injected.
Is shrimp high in mercury?
Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
Is it OK to eat shark meat?
Shark meat is a seafood consisting of the flesh of sharks. Several sharks are fished for human consumption, such as porbeagles, shortfin mako shark, requiem shark, and thresher shark, among others. Shark meat is popular in Asia, where it is often consumed dried, smoked, or salted.
What mercury poisoning feels like?
Symptoms of mercury poisoning depend on the form of the mercury that was the source of the exposure. Early symptoms of mercury poisoning can include a metallic taste in the mouth and numbness and tingling in the hands, feet and face.