Tuna fish: it’s an inexpensive protein, a go-to workday lunch, and a silver can that makes your kitty happy. But did you know it’s also a nutritional powerhouse? While this humble fish doesn’t get much glory in the world of seafood, the health benefits of tuna are impressive.
Seafood in general almost always makes a good dietary choice. A pescetarian diet—eating vegetarian plus seafood—reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer, helps manage type 2 diabetes, and maintains healthy weight. Other dietary patterns that emphasize fish consumption, like the Mediterranean and DASH diets, show similar evidence-based health benefits. And the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (the USDA’s comprehensive manual on diet) recommend consuming about eight ounces a week of “a variety of seafood” (1).
Tuna & Safety
If most all fish is good for you, you may wonder what distinguishes tuna from other types of seafood. Tuna is a saltwater fish from the mackerel family. Fifteen different species swim the seas. Because some species of tuna are close to extinction due to over fishing, certain high-end varieties command outrageous market prices. In 2013, an extremely rare blue-fin sold in Japan for 1.8 million dollars (2).
For those of us who aren’t willing to shell out millions on blue-fin, tuna steaks and canned tuna make a smarter choice for their lower price point and similar nutrient profile to other healthy fish. Canned tuna is safe for consumption before its use-by date. Prior to canning, tuna is cooked for a required 45 minutes to three hours, then heated after sealing for two to four hours (3).
In addition to its affordability, safety, and lengthy shelf life in cans, the health benefits of tuna abound…
Heart Health
The phrase “fatty fish” may sound unappealing—not to mention unhealthy—but “fatty fish” are some of the best for your health, especially your heart. Along with salmon, sardines, herring, and lake trout, albacore tuna falls into the category of “fatty” for its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Consumption of these unsaturated fats correlates with cardiovascular health, probably because of omega-3s’ ability to quell inflammation (4). According to the American Heart Association, “Including seafood high in omega-3 fatty acids as part of a heart-healthy diet helps reduce the risk of heart failure, coronary heart disease, cardiac arrest and the most common type of stroke” (5).
Cancer Prevention
Omega-3s have other powerful health effects beyond protecting your heart. They also appear to play a role in preventing cancer. Research has linked increased fish consumption to a reduced risk of breast, prostate, kidney, and bowel cancer (6, 7, 8, 9). And a 2018 study found that marine-based omega-3s were eight times more effective at inhibiting the growth of tumors than even plant-based fatty acids (10).
Brain Health
Have you heard the buzz in recent years about how our fishy friends can boost our brain power? There’s truth behind the hype. A specific omega-3 called DHA (or docosahexaenoic acid) found in fatty fish (including tuna) has significant effects on brain health. In fact, the brain requires DHA in order to maintain normal, efficient function.
DHA appears to help our gray matter in several ways. A 2016 research review of its effects on mental health called it “a promising therapeutic tool” for numerous conditions, such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and ADHD (11). Other research has confirmed its use for treating type 2 diabetes, dementia, and vision problems (12, 13, 14). According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a consistent intake of DHA-rich foods is what ensures the brain benefits of this omega-3 (15). Thankfully, tuna is a one of the best sources.
Protein
Protein is a macronutrient your body requires to build muscle, heal wounds, and make necessary enzymes. Because tuna contains no additives or anything artificial, it serves as an excellent source of this macro. At an average of about seven grams per ounce, it contains the same grams-per-ounce ratio as beef (16). Three ounces of Starkist chunk light tuna packed in water contains 16 grams of protein. Three ounces of albacore contains 20 grams. Tuna steaks provide a range from 19 to 25 grams. (For reference, the Daily Value of recommended protein intake is just 50 grams.)
Vitamins and Minerals
In addition to protein, tuna offers valuable amounts of several vitamins and minerals, such as selenium. Though you might not think very often about your intake of selenium, it’s an essential mineral-slash-antioxidant that’s helps reproduction, thyroid function, and DNA production. It has even been linked to reduced risk for certain cancers (17). Just four ounces of yellowfin tuna can contain twice your daily selenium requirement. Yellowfin is also a good source of Vitamin D, which many Americans don’t get enough of.
Most commercially available varieties of tuna boast B-vitamins, too. Various types of tuna contain anywhere from 20-40% of your day’s requirement of vitamin B6 in three ounces. Also known as pyridoxine, vitamin B6 helps maintain a healthy nervous and immune system. It’s also important for brain development.
Likewise, tuna offers high vitamin B12—a critical nutrient for cell metabolism.
Albacore or Chunk Light?
The two actually come from two separate fish. Albacore is derived, of course, from the albacore species of tuna, and chunk light from the smaller skipjack or yellowfin. Nutritionally, albacore and chunk light varieties differ. Ounce for ounce, chunk light contains slightly fewer calories than albacore (99 versus 109 in three ounces), a bit more protein, and only one-third of the fat. On the flip side, albacore contains far more omega-3 fatty acids (808 milligrams versus 239 in chunk light).
What about Mercury?
We seem to recall an episode of House, M.D. where someone got mercury poisoning from eating too much tuna. This TV scenario reflects the truth that mercury is a concern for many consumers. This heavy metal, indeed, harms the nervous, digestive, and immune systems. Should you be worried about this anti-health benefit of tuna? According to the FDA, “for most people, the risk from mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern” (18). The Mayo Clinic concurs, stating that “the benefits of eating fish usually outweigh the possible risks of exposure to contaminants” (19). There are concerns of mercury toxicity when intake comes from many sources in the environment and an individual cannot detox appropriately.
Despite these reassurances, we do know that albacore tuna harbors up to three times the more mercury than canned light. For this reason—and because mercury can affect fetal development—the FDA recommends pregnant and nursing mothers consume only up to 12 ounces per week of canned light tuna or six ounces of albacore per week. Read this article to find more information on seafood quality.
Final Word
If tuna’s strong taste has kept you away in the past, don’t be afraid to experiment with new recipes. Go beyond the sandwich! You never know how a new type of preparation might open up a new world of enjoyment. With numerous health benefits of tuna on the scene, feel good about moderate consumption.
Resources:
- https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/resources/2015-2020_Dietary_Guidelines.pdf
- http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/01/07/japan-worlds-most-expensive-fish-sold-for-1-8-million/
- https://www.dol.gov/whd/as/sec3.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12480795
- https://healthyforgood.heart.org/eat-smart/articles/fish-and-omega-3-fatty-acids
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2711973/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11403817
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/In_Brief_Fatty_fish_linked_to_lower_kidney_cancer_risk_in_women
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1913932/
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180126130332.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4999787/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4591987/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2838628/
- https://nei.nih.gov/news/scienceadvances/advances/omegahttps://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/healthy-aging/brain-health-and-fish
- https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/beef-tuna-protein-2342.html
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-Consumer/
- https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborneillnesscontaminants/metals/ucm351781.htm
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/omega-3/art-20045614
Great read! This article definitely gave me a better understanding about the health benefits of tuna. Thanks a lot for posting!