Eating fish is really bad for you

Question

PETA article excerpt (claim bolded):

Is fish good for you? “Seafood” sellers have been hard at work trying to convince us that it is, but fatty, chemical-laden fish flesh is just as bad for your health as eating other animals. Here are seven reasons why eating tuna, salmon, swordfish, shrimp, and other seafood is just as bad for you as it is for them.

Comments

I think the abstract, opinion-based language of your claim may make it harder to verify. Rather than positing that eating fish is "really bad for you," you might re-word it to something more concretely verifiable, such as "Eating fish leads to a buildup of mercury in the human body." A claim like that would be easier to fact-check and determine the reliability of!

---

Although the article gives some great points on why fish is bad for you, such as mercury, harmful chemicals, and bacteria. This article leaves out a lot of great points that fish actually can be beneficial to you as well. Also, to be more likely to get sick from fish you would need to eat large amounts.

---

I think the way the claim is phrased is misleading. Looking at the article, the author isn't claiming that fish is unhealthy, but rather that it's difficult to confirm that fish haven't been drugged with harmful chemicals or that they don't contain mercury. In actuality, fish cna be good for you, but there could be contaminants that have adverse affects. So it's not that eating fish is really bad for you, but actually that fish are often contaminated with harmful chemicals that are bad for you.

---

I agree with how you phrase this. I think that re wording is essential to understanding this article actually means. I do believe that looking into other trusted sources would have helped a lot, because then people could get different takes from different people/groups.

Answer 1

Mercury contamination is no joke, and its not the only pollutant out in the water with the rest of the sea creatures. According to our government, "Fish is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2 (riboflavin). Fish is rich in calcium and phosphorus and a great source of minerals, such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week as part of a healthy diet" (source). The FDA has a list here of the precise mercury levels from 1991-2009. Your source isn't the most reliable due to its stance on the consumption of any animal and the advertisement for the article viewers to "pledge to go vegan".

Comments

The factcheck of this claim was done in a very proper fashion of utilizing alternate resources of high validity with minimal bias. I especially second the fact that the original claim was made based off of the website PETA, which has the agenda and mission of influencing people to go vegan, greatly introducing bias into the claim and article.

---

This factcheck does a good job in providing background information about the effects of mercury from a reliable government as well as reflecting the bias that an animal advocacy group like PETA would have in disseminating info that would lead people to stop fish consumption.

Answer 2

I do not think that this article would be considered misinformation as there are other claims that back up the potential risks that eating fish can have (Stay Healthy by Eating Fish and Shellfish Wisely). They do bring up some important points about mercury levels and the fact that fish can take in harmful chemicals that may be in the waters they live in (Benefits and Risks of Eating Fish). However, they do not discuss the other side of the argument that proves that eating fish can also have health benefits. It is also important to take into consideration that this article is coming directly from PETA, an organization that heavily promotes veganism and avoiding any sort of harm to animals. Because of this, their article is riddled with guilt trips about how important fish are to the ecosystem, stating facts about their lifestyles to bring them to life more for the reader and make them question their decisions to ever eat fish again. It is a very heavily and clearly biased article, which may skew their claims too far in one direction.

Comments

This is a great fact check, as it's true that there are notable health concerns with eating certain fish species, especially too frequently. It's important you mentioned the source of this article, and gave context as to how and why PETA may present a biased and skewed article.

Answer 3

I found this article to be fairly unrealistic. Although it gives few good statements about how contaminated fish can cause health issues, this is a very small category. In an article from the HEALTHLINE, Joe Leech, a journalistic dietitian writes about all of the positive benefits of eating fish!

Comments

While I agree that the main article linked is biased and misleading, I wonder if the same could be said about the article by Joe Leech you referenced. I wasn't able to find the article in your comment, but think if you added it your post would be stronger.

Answer 4

If one were to eat fish in extreme quantities, it would cause heightened risk of mercury poisoning, as well as buildup of other contaminants, which in particular are harmful to older people and individuals with health risks. However, when eaten in moderation, fish can provide an important source of protein and other nutrients:

https://www.epa.gov/choose-fish-and-shellfish-wisely/should-i-be-concerned-about-eating-fish-and-shellfish

Answer 5

Fish is high in omega 3's, fatty acids and is packed with protein. Eating fish is linked to a reduced risk of heart diseases and strokes, according to the Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/omega-3/art-20045614#:~:text=If%20you're%20worried%20about,of%20protein%2C%20vitamins%20and%20minerals). However, if fish is contaminated with mercury, it can harm your nervous system and brain health. This claim is false, as fish in general is a very healthy food, but if it is contaminated with mercury it becomes unhealthy. 

Answer 6

Eating fish is great for one's health, primarily due to its rich content of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to improved heart health and reduced inflammation. Fish is also an excellent source of high-quality protein. Regular consumption of fish has been associated with lower risks of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke. Fish is typically low in saturated fat and calories, making it a great option for maintaining a healthy weight, as emphasized in the USDA Dietary Guidelines. Overall, incorporating fish into your diet can significantly contribute to well-being and nutritional balance.

https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/protein-foods

Answer 7

The statement that "Eating Fish Is Really Bad for You" is a highly misleading statement written by a source that is very bias when it comes to the consumption of any animal. Despite the source being highly misleading, there is some truth to it though not in the way it described as. The reason as to why there is a large group of people that talk about how bad fish is for you is because of the higher mercury content that they contain; though the main characteristic is that you have to understand it only starts to become unhealthy when you eat an excessive amount.

the FDA and EPA recommend that we consume around 8 ounces of fish per week in order to sustain a well nutritional diet. The reason as to why we need to consume some number of fish is that they a lean animal protein and have omega-3 fatty acids. Many nutrients that fishes contain are those that may treat and or prevent the following: Heart attacks and strokes, boost brain health, treat depression, risk of autoimmune diseases, preventing asthma in children, protecting vision in old age, and improve sleep.

The reason as to why there are so many connotations to eating fish is because when you consume more than what's recommended, the higher levels of mercury can cause stress on a body. It affects pregnant woman by having too much mercury affect the brain development of the child; for children it can impair motor skills, cause problems thinking, issues with hand eye coordination. For adults it doesn't exclude muscle weakness, metallic taste in the mouth, nausea and vomiting, lack of motor skills, change in vision or hearing. 

Yet compared to the article saying that "fish is really bad for you" it failed to mention the benefits and negatives of over consumption of fish. Not bringing up the fact that Mercury poising is bad, alongside the failure to mention the many benefits that including fish in your diet may have.

Source: Eating Too Much Seafood? Beware! Side Effects of Eating Too Much Fish

Source:11 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Eating Fish

Source: Advice about Eating Fish | FDA

Answer 8

Evidence shows that eating fish comes with a lot of health benefits, especially in regards to fighting heart disease. There is also evidence that pollutants make their way into fish, including low amounts of mercury, but these pollutants are also a risk factor of the food we eat in general. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) provides ways of researching the fish you're buying/fishing, for example researching the body of water you fish from or buy from. The OEHHA says by avoiding fish, you can miss on the health benefits it provides. 

https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/fish/

https://oehha.ca.gov/fish/benefits-and-risks-eating-fish

Answer 9

Fish is a highly nutritious food that provides many health benefits, making the claim that it is bad for you misleading. It is rich in high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins like vitamin D and selenium, all of which contribute to overall health. Omega-3s are especially important for heart health. They help lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and decrease the risk of heart disease. They also support brain function and may help prevent cognitive decline. The Washington State Department of Health recommends eating fish at least twice a week to gain these benefits.

However, PETA argues(in the article from the original source) that consuming fish is harmful due to contaminants like mercury and PCBs, which can be found in some fish. While it is true that certain fish contain these substances, the overall benefits of eating fish far outweigh the risks when consumed in moderation. Many types of fish, such as salmon, sardines, and trout, are low in mercury and provide essential nutrients without significant health risks. By making good choices, people can enjoy the protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids that fish offer while minimizing potential concerns.

Sources:

- https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/food/fish/health-benefits?

- https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-fish

Answer 10

The original claim in the PETA article that "Eating Fish Is Actually Really Bad for You" is predicated on the idea that eating the meat of any animal is really bad for you, and they are saying that fish is just as bad. The article then goes on to state multiple health hazards that may come from fish. However, it does use these risks to form an argument as to why eating fish would be just as unhealthy as eating red meat, for instance.

Many well respected health experts and institutions agree that fish and seafood are a part of a well balanced, healthy diet. According to John Hopkins Medicine, eating fish "provides plenty of protein and vitamins as well as many health benefits." Both the American Heart Association and the United Kingdom's National Health Service recommend eating a serving of fish at least twice per week. One of the best benefits of fish is that they contain good amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, an essential nutrient that the body does not produce and must be consumed through food. According to the Mayo Clinic, "For most adults, the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids outweigh the risk of getting too much mercury or other toxins."

Ultimately, preventing exposure to toxins like mercury comes down to personal risk assessment. The State of California recommends reducing one's risk by checking local advisories if fishing and following proper guidelines. From them: "If you avoid eating fish entirely, you won’t benefit from the nutrients that fish can provide. By following our fish advisories and properly cleaning, preparing, and cooking fish, you can safely enjoy the health benefits of eating fish."

Sources:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/fish-and-shellfish-nutrition/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/omega-3/art-20045614

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/fish-and-omega-3-fatty-acids

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/healthy-fish

https://oehha.ca.gov/fish/benefits-and-risks-eating-fish