Eating one can of tuna a day can be pushing the safe limit for mercury, especially with albacore (white) tuna which has more mercury than light (skipjack) tuna, but it might be okay if it's small cans of light tuna for a short period, though the FDA recommends 2-3 servings (around 8-12 ounces) of low-mercury fish like light tuna per week for most people, with pregnant women and young children needing even more caution. Mercury levels vary by species and can spike in individual cans, so moderation is key, and variety is best to minimize risk.
The Takeaway. Eating canned tuna, particularly light (skipjack) varieties, daily is typically safe for most people due to its low mercury content and high levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein.
Made with Skipjack tuna, common brands like Canned Light or Chunk Light only have about 20 micrograms of mercury in a five ounce can. Larger fish like Albacore and Yellowfin have up to 50 micrograms per can, while Atlantic Bluefin, the largest tuna, can have as many as 283 micrograms per five ounces.
Is canned tuna safe to eat regularly? Yes. It is safe for everyone (including pregnant women) to consume canned tuna as part of their fish intake. Canned tuna generally has lower levels of mercury than tuna fillets because smaller tuna species are used and the tuna are generally younger when caught.
You would have to eat around 25 tins (at 95g a tin) of it a week before you hit the maximum tolerable intake of mercury. For pregnant people (or people trying to get pregnant), the limit would be around 12 tins (at 95g a tin) a week. It is unlikely many consumers will reach these limits.
The concerns around daily intake stem from its mercury content. However, according to the NHS, which states a healthy, balanced diet should include at least two portions of fish a week, there's nothing there to say you can't eat tuna every day, unless you're trying for a baby, or pregnant.
Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology have come up with a novel approach to packaging canned tuna infused in the water-based solution of amino acid cysteine. It was shown to remove up to 35 percent of the accumulated mercury in canned tuna, significantly reducing human exposure to mercury via food.
There are two main kinds of canned tuna: chunk light and solid or chunk white (albacore). Mercury levels in canned white tuna, which is exclusively albacore, are almost three times higher than those found in smaller skipjack tuna commonly used in canned light tuna products.
If you choose to eat more than 2-3 serves of fish per week it is important to eat a variety of fish, and avoid those that could have elevated mercury levels, such as Shark (Flake) or Billfish (Swordfish, Marlin).
Sirena tuna is considered good because of its premium quality, using pole-and-line caught yellowfin tuna, which results in a richer flavor, firm chunky texture, and lower mercury levels compared to other brands. Consumers praise its superior taste, often packed in quality oils or springwater, making it versatile for salads, sandwiches, and meals, despite being a pricier option.
To limit mercury intake from tuna, here are the guidelines: Best choice: Eat 2 to 3 servings per week of canned light skipjack tuna. Good choice: Eat 1 serving per week of yellowfin tuna or white albacore tuna. Choice to avoid: Don't eat bigeye tuna.
Since tuna is relatively high in mercury, one can per day would bring you to the FDA suggested maximum amount of mercury. Having more than that on occasion may not be a problem, but you are at risk of getting low dose sustained mercury poisoning.
If you're worried about mercury content , check with your doctor. But in general, the smaller the fish is (and the lower on the foodchain) the lower the mercury content will be. Sardines and anchovies will have less mercury than salmon and tuna, and mussels will have less than any of those.
Initial signs and symptoms, such as fever, chills, shortness of breath, metallic taste, and pleuritic chest pain, may be confused with metal-fume fever, which is caused by cadmium exposure. Other possible symptoms include stomatitis, lethargy, confusion, and vomiting.
If you're counting calories and maximizing omega-3 fatty acids, then tuna in water might make a great choice. On the other hand, if moisture, flavor, and vitamin D levels are your focus, then olive oil-packed tuna might be better. Whatever tuna you choose, it's important not to go overboard for this mild-flavored fish.
Larger, older fish tend to have more mercury than younger fish. Fish that eat other fish have the most mercury. o In the ocean, these include sharks and swordfish. o In lakes and rivers, bass generally have the highest levels of mercury.
The unhealthiest fish to eat are typically large, predatory species high in mercury like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and imported tilefish, plus bluefin tuna, which are dangerous for brain/nerve health, especially for pregnant women and children; also, farmed salmon and some imported tilapia/catfish raise concerns for contaminants and antibiotics, while orange roughy and Atlantic cod are often cited for high mercury and overfishing/sustainability issues.
Trimming skin and fat and cooking method do not reduce mercury exposure. The only way to reduce mercury exposure is to reduce consumption of contaminated fish. Thus, the DSHS recommends eating smaller, younger fish that have had less time to accumulate mercury in their tissues.
You would have to eat around 25 tins (at 95g a tin) of it a week before you hit the maximum tolerable intake of mercury. For pregnant people (or people trying to get pregnant), the limit would be around 12 tins (at 95g a tin) a week. It is unlikely many consumers will reach these limits.
The excretion of elemental mercury is dose-dependent and biphasic: initially rapid, then followed by slow excretion. The biological half-life of mercury is estimated to be approximately 30 to 60 days in the body [4].
Buy skipjack and yellowfin tunas labeled pole-caught, pole-and-line, troll-caught, or FAD-free from the Atlantic or Pacific. Avoid all bluefin tuna, except if you confirm it's Pacific bluefin tuna from a yellow-rated source (scroll down for more information). Avoid tuna caught in the Indian Ocean.
According to the FDA, canned light tuna, made primarily from skipjack, is recognized as a low-mercury fish and is designated a "best choice." The FDA recommends eating 2 to 3 servings a week, or about 8 to 12 ounces.
Tuna lightly seared and served medium-rare is an easy and healthy way to prepare a tuna steak - pair it with some avocado, a squeeze lime, and a bit of fresh ginger, and your taste buds will be jumping for joy.