Is canned light tuna lower in mercury than albacore?
Yes, some fish should be limited. High-mercury fish like swordfish and shark should be avoided during pregnancy.
What's actually in it
Mercury occurs naturally in the ocean and builds up in fish tissue through a process called biomagnification. Larger predator fish that eat smaller fish accumulate the most. Methylmercury, the form found in fish, is a potent neurotoxin.
The FDA and EPA advise pregnant women and young children to avoid high-mercury fish (swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tilefish, bigeye tuna). Low-mercury fish like salmon, sardines, and shrimp are still recommended.
What the research says
A 2026 study in ecotoxicol environ saf found that urinary nickel and risk of all-cause and neurological mortality in Chinese older adults: Evidence from a prospective cohort study..
Wu Y(1), Chen C(1), Long F(1), Ding L(1), Hu Z(1), Wei L(1), C.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Urinary nickel and risk of all-cause and neurological mortality in Chinese older adults: Evidence from a prospective cohort study. | Ecotoxicol Environ Saf | 2026 |
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