Which Fish Have the Lowest Mercury Levels?

Fish is versatile, accessible, and above all, delicious! However, some fish have high concentrations of mercury, a heavy metal naturally present in nature but should be consumed in small quantities. What are the best choices, meaning the fish that contain the least mercury?

Pollock, haddock, and surimi

These fish all belong to the same family and have the lowest mercury concentration. According to several studies, their maximum concentration is 0.19 Hg of mercury. So, it's an excellent choice to make at the fish market!

Sardine

The size of the fish is an important factor in the accumulation of heavy metals. The larger the fish, the more mercury it can contain. Thus, sardines are one of the varieties containing the least mercury. Logically, the smaller they are, the less they contain.

Anchovies

We find the same phenomenon with fresh anchovies, these small fish that can be prepared in multiple ways: fried, pickled, baked, etc. You can therefore consume this variety of fatty fish without concern, as it is one of the marine species containing the least mercury.

Salmon

The concentration of heavy metals is also very low in salmon, another of the most consumed fatty fish. You can thus include this fish in your diet without issue. Prefer wild salmon. If it's not in season, opt for organic farmed salmon.

* Swordfish, tuna, and bass are varieties containing significant amounts of heavy metals due to their large size, among other factors.

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