[FACT OR FAKE #4] Shark Fin Is Good For You
Today is World Ocean Day, so its only apt that we talk a little bit about the most majestic sea animal, the shark. Shark fin costs a bomb in the restaurant, and the general perception is that it is good for our health. But how true is that?
By Judith Yeoh — 07 Jun 2013, 07:57 PM — Updated about 11 years ago
Debunked: Shark fin is high in mercury and will harm your body
Shark fin soup has erroneously been associated with positive heath benefits. However there is no accepted scientific evidence that shark fin provides any medicinal or health benefit. In fact studies show that shark has among the highest levels of mercury and other dangerous toxins found in fish.
Some shark species can live for 50 years or more, consuming many toxin-laden fish and storing those toxins in their bodies throughout their lifetime. When we eat shark fin soup, we are consuming their toxins, too.
Mercury flows to the ocean via industrial processes and the metal is stored in the fat of the sharks over time.
greenprophet.comSharks are at the top of the food chain and have no natural predators. As a result, they can live a long time and accumulate high levels of mercury.
An analysis of shark fins from Florida waters found high concentrations of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine, or BMAA, a neurotoxin that has been linked to Alzheimer's and Lou Gehrig's disease.
For this reason, the US Food and Drug Administration warns people against eating shark - especially pregnant women, those of child-bearing age, and children.
Happy World Ocean Day, lets be shark-friendly!
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