The main reasons why you should never eat tilapia include:
- Tilapia has a very high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (about 11:1), which can promote inflammation in the body. This increased omega-6 intake is linked to higher risks of asthma, arthritis, heart disease, and stroke due to blood clot risks.
- Most tilapia is farm-raised, especially imported from China, where farms often use contaminated water and feed fish feces from other animals. This can increase cancer risk up to ten times compared to wild fish.
- Farmed tilapia is frequently given antibiotics and pesticides to prevent disease in crowded conditions, leading to antibiotic residues and environmental pollution.
- Tilapia can carry rare bacteria such as Vibrio vulnificus ("flesh-eating bacteria"), which can cause serious infections in humans.
- There are environmental concerns too, as tilapia farming displaces native species and disrupts ecosystems.
- Tilapia is sometimes genetically engineered with genes from various organisms, including humans, to increase size and disease resistance.
Overall, health risks from inflammation, contaminants, antibiotic use, bacterial infections, and potential exposure to harmful substances make eating tilapia a poor choice compared to other fish options.
These key points highlight why many experts and reports advise avoiding tilapia consumption.
