Disadvantages Of Eating Catfish | Side Effects | Pros & Cons

September 21, 2023 Odiraa

Disadvantages Of Eating Catfish | Side Effects | Pros & Cons

What are catfish side effects? Benefits? Is catfish vegetarian? is catfish dangerous to eat? Gluten-free? Is it acidic or alkaline? Fodmap low? Good for you? Healthy? Sustainable?

Here’s all you need to know about catfish to be an ethical customer…

Catfish (Claria gariepinus) is a ray-finned freshwater fish. Farm-raised fish is commonly available.

It is a high-protein fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, incredibly tasty, and as a result, has become a staple food in many households.

Catfish may adapt to a variety of environments, including their natural habitat and man-made environments.

Without question, catfish has many advantages, but this does not negate the fact that eating catfish has several disadvantages that many people are unaware of.

So, in this section, I’ll go through some of the most prevalent negative effects of eating catfish. Simply reading until the end will keep you informed.

Disadvantages Of Eating Catfish ~ Catfish nutrition facts 100g/Nutritional value of catfish

A serving of catfish contains;

Calories: 105.
Fat: 2.9 grams.
Protein: 18 grams.
Sodium: 50 mg.
Vitamin B12: 121% of the Daily Value (DV)
Selenium: 26% of the DV.
Phosphorus: 24% of the DV.
Thiamine: 15% of the DV.

Catfish is also rich in iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Eating Catfish in Nigeria

Catfish is one of the most popular and extensively consumed fish in Nigeria.

It is used in a variety of dishes, particularly Nigerian Catfish Pepper Soup (popularly known as Point & Kill)

This Point & Kill is an ultimate comfort Nigerian cuisine that is frequently consumed at occasions, elite Nigerian pubs, and restaurants, its delicacy is irresistible to many people, and it is very prevalent at social events.

The name “point and kill” comes from the fact that the customer selects the fish or fish they want from a large bowl containing live catfish; the fish are then killed in the guest’s sight and carried away for preparation.

Catfish Disadvantages/Side Effects/Pros and Cons

The catfish recipe is more popular since it is less expensive than other types of fish on the market. However, studies have shown that eating catfish is not all that good for you.

While doctors claim that fish is a better and healthier option than beef, it appears that many individuals skipped over the part of the medical advice that not all varieties of fish are beneficial for the heart.

Here are three negative consequences of eating too much catfish.

Although many individuals like eating catfish for its nutritional benefits, there are some disadvantages to doing so frequently, according to Public Health.

All catfish eaters should be aware of the following potential harmful consequences of eating too much catfish.

Mercury poisoning is a possible risk.

Most catfish collected in contaminated rivers have absorbed dangerous levels of mercury; when this mercury accumulates in the fish as methylmercury, it becomes highly hazardous to humans when consumed in significant numbers.

Overconsumption of methylmercury-rich fish can result in major health concerns, including damage to the digestive system, kidneys, and lungs.

The end outcome is a stroke or a heart attack.

Excessive consumption of catfish, which is high in Omega 6 fatty acids, has been related to an elevated risk of hypertension and subsequent heart attack or stroke.

Because catfish skin contains a high concentration of oil and polyunsaturated fatty acids, if you consume too much of it, the oil and polyunsaturated fatty acids will enter your system.

Other downsides of eating catfish include its high fat and cholesterol content, which is detrimental to your health. Catfish also contain BMAA (-N-methylamino-L-alanine), a toxin that can cause brain disorders.

Another downside of eating catfish is the amount of oxygen required by decaying organic matter (benthic biological oxygen requirement).

Catfish graze on rotting materials, especially in polluted waterways. This can result in low dissolved oxygen levels in the water, killing other fish as well as insects and amphibians that are unable to leave the region.

Disadvantages Of Eating Catfish ~ Solution

Instead of eating catfish regularly, consider adding the following species to your diet:

Mackerel

In Nigeria, it is known as Titus fish. The main health advantage of mackerel is its oily meat. It reduces triglycerides. Triglyceride levels in the blood have been linked to heart disease and strokes.

Obesity and poorly managed diabetes are the most common causes of elevated triglyceride levels, both of which are caused by a sedentary lifestyle.

Tilapia

Tilapia is a premium fish. It contains proteins and all of the necessary amino acids your body needs from meals to help make proteins.

One piece of dry-cooked tilapia has roughly 26 grams of protein. It also aids with weight loss.

Catfish Health Benefits

Catfish contains vitamin B12, which enhances mental health, prevents heart disease, and heals anemia.

It is recommended for persons who are watching their calorie intake.

Catfish is an excellent source of lean protein, which is required by the body for the repair and building of tissues and muscles.

It contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to increased strength, a healthy heart, and skeletal muscle improvement.

Catfish benefits for skin

Catfish is high in protein and omega-3 fats, both of which are necessary for good skin.

Protein, the building block of the human body, offers a kind of protein called collagen, which makes the skin tight, wrinkle-free, and pleasant to the touch.

While omega fatty acids moisturize the skin, making it appear plump and smooth.

One of the health benefits of eating catfish is healthier skin.

Benefits of catfish in pregnancy

Catfish is high in protein, vitamins A, C, and folic acid, all of which are beneficial to the developing child in the womb. Catfish is beneficial to pregnant ladies.

Cholesterol and catfish

Is catfish bad for your cholesterol? Is catfish a high-cholesterol food? Catfish is high in good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) and low in bad cholesterol, making it heart-healthy.

Catfish have very low levels of harmful cholesterol and saturated fats.

Weight gain from catfish

Catfish, contrary to popular belief, does not cause weight gain. Catfish contains few calories, yet not enough to make you obese.

So, if you’re trying to lose weight, you can eat catfish.

Is catfish helpful for high blood pressure?

People with hypertension can consume catfish. It is okay to have catfish if you have high blood pressure. Just take your blood pressure medication and you’ll be fine.

FAQs About Disadvantages of Eating Catfish

What is the side effect of eating excessive catfish?

The end outcome is a stroke or a heart attack. Excessive consumption of catfish, which is high in Omega 6 fatty acids, has been related to an elevated risk of hypertension and subsequent heart attack or stroke.

Is catfish healthy or unhealthy?

Catfish is high in lean protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals while being low in calories. It’s high in heart-healthy omega-3 fats and vitamin B12.

Although deep frying adds significantly more calories and fat than dry heat cooking methods such as baking or broiling, it may be a healthful addition to any meal.

When should you not eat catfish?

Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who may become pregnant, and children under the age of 15 should not consume any catfish or largemouth bass from these streams.

Others should not consume more than one meal every week.

Is catfish bad for your cholesterol?

Catfish Benefits

It’s especially high in heart-healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fats, which can help lower harmful cholesterol levels.

Furthermore, the omega-3 content protects the circulatory system and heart against disease and lowers the amount of inflammatory molecules in the body.

Which fish are high in cholesterol to avoid?

People with high cholesterol should avoid eating any fish that contains a lot of saturated fat and calories. You should avoid eating shrimp, trout, mackerel, tuna, and swordfish.

However, you can eat your favorite fish as long as you limit your consumption to keep your cholesterol levels within acceptable limits.

Is catfish dangerous for hypertension?

Catfish is also high in vitamins B6 and B12, as well as potassium and selenium.

All of these nutrients have various health benefits, including lowering cholesterol, supporting a healthy immune system, regulating blood pressure, preventing certain types of cancer, and lowering the chance of stroke.

What is the Bible’s take on eating catfish?

“‘You may eat any creature with fins and scales that lives in the water of the seas and streams.”

But you are to despise all creatures in the seas or streams that lack fins and scales, whether among all the swarming things or all the other living creatures in the water.

How much cholesterol does catfish have?

Table. The nutritional content of catfish (85 grams)

Nutrient	Amount
Total fat	5.1 grams
Cholesterol	47 mg
Sodium	83 mg
Potassium	257 mg

Which fish are high in cholesterol?

Squid has the highest cholesterol content per 100 grams (231mg). Shrimp has 194mg of protein. The lobster contains 71mg.

Is fried catfish high in cholesterol?

Each dish of breaded and fried channel catfish includes 2.9 g of saturated fat and 62 mg of cholesterol.

Fish, breaded and fried, cooked channel, and catfish have 6.96 mcg of vitamin A, 0.0 mg of vitamin C, 1.24 mg of iron, 38.28 mg of calcium, and 296 mg of potassium per 87 g.

Which fish are high in healthy cholesterol?

Salmon, herring, and sardines are examples of fatty fish that may help boost HDL cholesterol.

Is eating catfish dangerous?

Although some fish species are rich in mercury, catfish is one of the lowest. As a result, the FDA considers catfish to be one of the healthiest fish to consume.

Pros and cons of eating catfish

Catfish is strong in protein and beneficial fats, such as vitamin B12, selenium, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but it also includes purines, mercury, and antibiotics.

Is farm-raised catfish safe to eat?

Farmed catfish contains little mercury and is suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

This means that everyone in the family can enjoy a nutritious catfish lunch without worry.

Catfish is a low-cost seafood alternative. It might be costly to cook at home and make healthy food choices.

Disadvantages of eating salmon

Salmon side effects may include:

Hormonal disruption.
Food poisoning causes extreme discomfort.
High levels of mercury can lead to depression and anxiety.
Antibiotic resistance (farmed)
High mercury levels might cause sadness and anxiety.
Memory loss from PBCs.
Sickness from bacterial contamination.
Seafood is the number one cause of food poisoning in the United States.
Antimicrobial resistance (farming)

Is catfish good for weight loss? Can I lose weight eating catfish?

Catfish has only about 98 calories in a 100-gram serving, making it an excellent choice for those watching their weight.

This also makes it an excellent substitute for higher-calorie meats like fowl in most recipes.

Which fish are best for losing weight?

Fish and chicken are both considered helpful for weight loss since they are high in protein.

While fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which give fullness and help to reduce food cravings, a person’s indulgence in unhealthy foods is reduced.