Tilapia Overview
Tilapia is one of the most consumed fish species in America. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Americans consume more than 475 million pounds of tilapia each year. This type of fish has become quite popular because it is inexpensive, easy to farm, and does not have the typical flavor associated with most other species of fish. Additionally, most of the tilapia consumed in the US, as well as in other parts of the developed world, comes from fish farms. This is because tilapia is only native to bodies of water in Africa and the Middle East. However, some nutrition experts have raised questions about the benefits of eating tilapia. Read on to learn more about this topic.
Tilapia Concerns
Most health professionals recommend eating fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, such as wild Alaskan salmon, sablefish, sablefish, mackerel, albacore tuna, or sockeye salmon. Even less expensive options, like herring and sardines, contain relatively high levels of omega-3s. The problem with tilapia is that it contains very low levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and very high levels of omega-6 fatty acids. This is according to a study conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Another study published in the same journal found that farm-raised tilapia contains high levels of arachidonic acid (AA).
One of the researchers involved in the Wake Forest University study, Dr. Floyd Chilton, believes that eating farmed fish could be dangerous for people suffering from health complications such as asthma, arthritis and heart disease. This is because high levels of omega-6 and arachidonic acid could cause these people to develop an exaggerated inflammatory response, which is essentially inflammation that causes serious damage to the lungs, digestive tract, and blood vessels.
Additionally, there have been concerns about the type of feed used in tilapia farms. Dr. Jeffrey McCrary, an American fish biologist working in Nicaragua, considers fish farming standards in Latin American and Asian countries to be below US food safety standards. Despite this, Americans still import and consume large quantities of tilapia from Asia and South American countries.
Most fish farms use cheap corn- and soy-based feeds instead of algae and seagrasses. Additionally, a report published in the New York Times states that some tilapia farms use prophylactic testosterone and antibiotics to feed young tilapia fish. At the same time, these farms tend to raise large numbers of tilapia in overcrowded fish cages, which can lead to contamination of natural water reservoirs such as lakes.
Is tilapia healthy?
After reading the information provided above, one may think that there is nothing good about tilapia fish, but that is not true. For example, a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that Americans should not stop eating tilapia simply because it contains low levels of omega-3s and high levels of omega-6s. One of the researchers involved in this study claims that a 3-ounce serving of bacon contains a whopping 191 milligrams of bad fat. By comparison, a 3-ounce serving of tilapia contains between 67 and 134 milligrams of bad fat. Even the popular hamburger contains 34 milligrams of bad fat. This means that people who stop eating tilapia could end up getting more bad fats from other foods.
It is also important to note that tilapia has essential minerals like potassium and calcium. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a 4-ounce serving of tilapia contains 11.3 percent of the average person’s daily calcium requirements. This is in addition to providing 10 percent of the daily potassium requirement. Also, tilapia is a great source of protein. Research by the Harvard School of Public Health found that a 4-ounce serving of tilapia provides 45 percent of daily protein requirements. Furthermore, the proteins found in tilapia fish contain all the essential amino acids that the body requires. Finally, tilapia contains heart-healthy unsaturated fats according to the Harvard School of Public Health. For example, 4 ounces of tilapia fish meat contains 1.3 grams of unsaturated fat.
In general, if you eat fish regularly, it’s up to you to decide if tilapia should be a part of your diet. Fortunately, you can use the findings of several scientific studies to guide your decision. Also, it is important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet issued a warning to consumers to stop eating tilapia.