Consumption of tuna fish in the United States decreased for the past decades due to fear of mercury poisoning. However, this fish provides many health benefits and here's how much tuna fish is too much for you and knows the signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning.

Mercury is emitted through industrial coal-burning factories across the Earth, leading its way in the seas and other waterways. In here, natural bacteria could absorb and convert mercury into a chemical called "methylmercury". Fish eats methylmercury, bigger fish eats smaller fish, and the cycle goes on. More mercury could be absorbed if it is higher in the food chain of the fish.

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What Happens If You Eat Too Much Tuna?

Mercury has no purposes and nutritional value. The body could dispose mercury in low doses, but it can interfere with brain and nervous system in higher doses. The earliest signs of mercury poisoning are numbness in toes and fingers, as well as poor coordination. For adults, it can affect blood pressure regulation, fertility, tremors, memory and vision loss.

In addition, the effect of long-term mercury poisoning could lead to memory impairment and birth defects in exposed fetuses in the womb. And for severe cases, extreme mercury exposure causes respiratory failure, kidney problems, and worst, death.

The damage of mercury poisoning to young, developing brain is also more serious. Children are advised to consume less tuna compared to adults. Furthermore, the effect of mercury poisoning is not equal to everyone as some people have a genetic mutation which allows to rapidly discharge mercury in their body, while others could retain mercury in their body for a long period of time causing them to increase the risk of poisoning.

How Much Is Too Much

Tuna has two main types available in cans: white albacore and chunk light. The white albacore reportedly has up to three times more mercury than the chuck light. Several sources argue on the safe amount of tuna fish, for instance, The Washington Post reported that those weighing more than 150 pounds should not eat more than one can of albacore tuna every week as recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The recommendation of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is more strict, in which there should be no more than one can of tuna every 9 days for those weighing 150 pounds or more.

Meanwhile, light tuna fish - smaller fish that contains less mercury - can be consumed under three cans per week, EPA estimated, but it still depends on the overall body mass. For women, FDA recommends two to three 4-oz. servings every week, and for children starting the age of two, two serving per week is suggested.