Mercury in food must be kept under control: this can be very harmful, so we must be careful about the quantity contained in the food, especially in this product that we consume a lot in the summer.
One of the elements to which a lot of attention must be paid is mercurywhich in large quantities it can cause a lot of damage to our body. Not everyone knows that this element of the periodic table, a metal, it is also found in some foods.
Well yes, in particular in a very common food, which we all use especially in summer and which, at times, has even been withdrawn from supermarkets. Here’s what product we’re talking about and how to be careful.
What is mercury and in which food it is found
Mercury is a metallic element, that you will all have studied in the famous periodic table in chemistry, that it can be found both in the environment and in food.
Many will know it in liquid form in thermometers, which have now been withdrawn from the market to prevent this harmful element from spreading into the surrounding environment.
In the past it was used not only for this tool but for many other things, such as in insecticides, pesticides, drugs, paints and catalysts for technological components. That’s why this item it has spread a lot in the environment and, therefore, also in the organism of some living beings that we bring to the table.
Yes, mercury through rains and natural disasters was carried in the waterin our seas and therefore, automatically in the organism of fish. In fact, there are several fish in which we find mercury particles, such as sharks and sharks, swordfish, marlin and tuna.
Precisely in tuna we find a large amount of mercury, which is why the companies that trade fish are obliged to follow special provisions regarding the quantities of mercury that can be contained.
The legal mercury limits vary according to the species of fish, and are established by Reg. EC 1881/2006 in 0.5 mg / kg (all) and 1 mg / kg (shark, swordfish, tuna, monkfish and others. fish).
Here, if these criteria are not respected, food products could be withdrawn from supermarkets, causing damage to the selling companies.
How do you protect yourself from mercury?
Moderate the consumption of these foods could be the first step to protect yourself from the risks of mercury, that we want to clarify is not always harmful.
Quantity makes the difference, that’s why especially in summer, it is good to try to limit the consumption of these specific fish at least to once a week maximum, in order to avoid the assimilation of the element.
In particular, a lot of care must be taken with the bluefin tuna, Why? This fish can reach up to 500kg, so the amount of mercury it takes in could be high.
Furthermore, bluefin tuna also eats other small fishalso carriers of this element, so the risk could be always greater.
It would therefore be preferable to eat light tuna, small in size, which certainly has a lower intake of mercury.
Then, vary the species of fish to bring to the table: for example, increase your consumption of blue fishwhich is not exposed to these risks, or prefer oceanic fish to Mediterranean fish.
If you have children, avoid the consumption of risky fish in order to bypass the problem even in your children.
By taking these small steps, you will avoid long-term consequences and problems with mercury will not present themselves easily.
–
