Is Tilapia Bad for Heart?

American Dietetic Association advises people to consume fish at least twice a week. All of us are aware of the myriad benefits of consuming fish. Fish is a rich source of protein and contains fatty acids which lower the cholesterol levels in the body. Needless to say, a large number of people rely upon fish as their main source of nutrition. However, not everyone can afford expensive fish varieties like tuna, salmon, mackerel etc. A large chunk of US population consumes affordable varieties like Tilapia and catfish. Tilapia is touted as one of the most nutritious fish available for consumption. However, a recent study has raised several question over the so-called health benefits of Tilapia.

Is Tilapia Bad for Heart?

Until now, people were only aware of the benefits of eating Tilapia. However, the potential health hazards of consuming Tilapia came into light only when Wake Forest University School of Medicine published a research report. According to this report, Tilapia fish contains two main ingredients omega-3 essential fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Both these fatty acids are essentially concerned with reducing the cholesterol in the body. However, the levels of omega-6 fatty acids are much higher than the levels of omega-3 fatty acids and this is where the problem originates. Where do these large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids come from?

The Tilapia fish that we find in super markets is produced by the means of aquaculture. This particular fish species grows very fast and hence is a great candidate for aquaculture. The mass production of Tilapia allows the fish farmers to sell it at lower prices. The affordability of this fish is what attracts consumers to it. Most people buy either fillets or whole, considering its lower prices. The general public notion is that they get innumerable benefits of consuming fish without spending much. This encourages more number of people to buy it, which in turn results in increased mass production.

The direct outcome of excess mass production is that, the food quality of Tilapia fish is often compromised. The fish farmers highly rely upon the inferior quality corn based fish food for Tilapia. This corn food is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which is known to interfere with heart function. Omega-6 fatty acids get stored in the tissues of fish and enters your body when you eat it. While the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids are widely known, little is known about the possible hazards of consuming omega-6 fatty acids.

Along with omega-6 fatty acids, Tilapia also contains traces of arachidonic acid, which is another hazardous ingredient. Omega-6 fatty acids and arachidonic acid together induce an inflammatory response in the body. Inflammation of cardiovascular system can be particularly dangerous as it may lead to fatal diseases like hypertension, arteriosclerosis and other heart diseases. This exaggerated inflammatory response could be detrimental for people who already suffer from the above health disorders. Inflammatory response can also trigger allergic reactions in some people. Consumption of Tilapia is said to have worsen conditions such as asthma, arthritis etc.

The health hazards of eating Tilapia are equivalent to eating bacon and pork. You pose more risk to your heart by eating Tilapia than by eating hamburgers or dough nuts. This comparison should give you enough idea regarding the dangers you might inflict upon your heart by choosing to eat Tilapia.

Some studies also point to the numerous flaws in the research reports by Wake Forest University School of Medicine and cite that Tilapia is safe to eat. However, there is not enough medical evidence to support these contradicting studies. So, it would be wise to consume it with caution, until we gain more insight upon this debate.