Can you eat too much canned tuna?
Canned tuna is a lunch box staple for many people. It's affordable, high in protein and doesn't need to be cooked, making it a nutritious and convenient option for busy days.
Canned tuna is a popular, affordable and convenient protein source for many Australians, typically containing lower mercury levels than large predatory fish like shark, swordfish and marlin. Health authorities in Australia and New Zealand have set limits on mercury consumption, with most adults able to eat up to 231 micrograms per week and pregnant women limited to about half that amount.
A typical 95g can of tuna contains roughly 13 micrograms of mercury, which for an adult could use up to 20% of their weekly mercury allowance. This means that consuming multiple cans per week, such as for tuna sandwiches, is unlikely to pose a significant health risk. While there is limited research on mercury levels in canned tuna sold in Australia, international studies suggest these levels are generally safe.
It's important to remember that no single food provides all necessary nutrients, so variety in protein sources is encouraged for a balanced diet.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
