4 Terrible Reasons Tilapia Should Be Eliminated Immediately

Fish like tilapia are reasonably priced and rich sources of protein. Because of its mild flavor, it can be easily substituted for a variety of recipes. According to seafoodsource.com, it is the fourth most popular seafood in the United States after salmon, shrimp and tuna. First of all

Since 2002, tilapia has grown in popularity. Although many love its mild taste and affordable price, many are unaware of the dark side of this fish.

What is Tilapia fish?

Actually, the term “tilapia” refers to a wide range of fish species in the cichlid family. Tilapia mosambica is the most famous variety, which is grown all over the world. (2)

Tilapia is native to Africa and the Middle East, but is currently cultivated in 135 nations around the world. China is the world’s top producer of tilapia, with a production of over 1.8 million metric tons in 2018. (3, 4)

Aquaculture producers have developed a variety of hybrids with desired appearance and flavor characteristics that are efficiently grown to market size.

Benefits of tilapia

Eating fish improves heart, brain and eye health. Fish is high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, iron, B vitamins, and EPA and DHA. Additionally, tilapia has low to moderate fat levels. Thus, tilapia seems to be a sensible choice on paper. However, according to scientific research, tilapia can be related for several reasons.

Reasons to Avoid Tilapia fish

Tilapia fish is farmed. The layout, dimensions and quality of water, fish, feed and maintenance of tilapia farms can vary greatly from one farm to another. Because tilapia are cold-blooded fish, farms that raise them in the United States must be indoor, climate-controlled spaces. Tilapia is imported into the United States from China, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Indonesia and other nations. These nations have cheaper prices and more suitable climates. (5)

• They are fed artificially; Tilapia generally feed on small invertebrates, aquatic plants, phytoplankton and periphyton. “Feed” for tilapia can include fishmeal, wheat, corn, soybean meal, etc. Many of these foods are amenable to genetic modification and can be grown using conventional pesticides and herbicides. This is an unhealthy option because wheat, corn, and soy are frequent allergens for many people. (5)
• Often fed animal excrement: According to this FDA report from the United States, feeding animal excrement to fish raised in China is a regular practice. It is customary to allow cattle and poultry to graze freely in the fields, scattering their waste there or using it as fish food. (6)
• It is frequently contaminated with dangerous chemicals – same study mentioned above also cites that over 800 shipments from 2007-2012 from China were refused due to chemical contamination, including unsafe veterinary drug residues in five types of farm-raised fish and unsafe additives.  (6)
• Its omega 3:6 ratio can increase inflammation: Fish with high omega 3 content include salmon, trout and tuna. Healthy fats called omega 3s can reduce inflammation and triglycerides. Sadly, tilapia contains more omega-6 than omega-3. Omega-6 fatty acids, which are abundant in most Western diets and deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, are known to contribute to the etiology of many diseases, including cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, as well as cardiovascular disease. (7) Because tilapia is generally believed to be inflammatory, medical organizations often advise against eating it. (8)

Conclusion

Tilapia is an inexpensive, easily found fish. While tilapia offers a mild flavor and therefore versatility in recipes, there are other wild or fresh caught options that offer a healthier option. Avoid tilapia raised in China.

Choose freshly caught fish rather than farmed. Choose seafood such as salmon, trout or tuna that have a good ratio of omega 3 to omega 6. Choose wild species such as herring, cod, mackerel or salmon. Check the Seafood Watch for their advice if you’re consuming tilapia.

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