The Threat of Heavy Metals in Seafood
By. Nevanda - 14 Jul 2023
lautnusantara.com - Seafood has long been recognized as a delicious and nutritious food source. However, behind its tantalizing flavors and abundant health benefits lies a hidden potential danger: heavy metals. Seafood contaminated with heavy metals, such as mercury, lead and cadmium, can pose a serious threat to human health.
Heavy metals can be found in marine waters as a result of industrial activities, environmental pollution and human waste discharged into the ocean. Fish and other marine animals exposed to heavy metals can accumulate these harmful substances in their body tissues.
Eating seafood contaminated with heavy metals can have a negative impact on human health. Some of the harmful effects that can occur due to the consumption of seafood contaminated with heavy metals, such as mercury, are as follows:
1. Nervous system disorders
Mercury can cause damage to the nervous system, especially to the developing brain in fetuses and children. This can lead to impaired cognitive development, learning problems, behavioral disorders, and other neurological disorders.
2. Damage to the digestive system
Heavy metals such as lead and cadmium contained in contaminated seafood can cause damage to the digestive system. It may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and impaired liver function.
3. Cardiovascular system disorders
Long-term exposure to heavy metals, such as mercury, can cause disorders of the cardiovascular system. This can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and heart rhythm disturbances.
Read also: Know These 6 Things Before Eating Pufferfish
4. Disruption of the reproductive system
Exposure to heavy metals in contaminated seafood can also cause disruption to the reproductive system. In women, this can impair fertility and increase the risk of complications in pregnancy. In men, it can lead to decreased sperm quality and impaired reproductive function.
5. Kidney damage
Some heavy metals, such as mercury and cadmium, can cause damage to the kidneys. Long-term exposure can lead to decreased kidney function, kidney failure, or chronic kidney disease.
It is important to remember that the health effects caused by heavy metals in contaminated seafood may vary depending on the level of exposure, duration of exposure, and individual conditions. Therefore, it is important to limit consumption of seafood that has a high potential to contain heavy metals and look for safer seafood sources that are free from heavy metal contamination.
