Staying Healthy
Is it safe to eat fish?
Ask the doctor
You recommend eating fish twice a week. However, I've read that fish contain toxins and microplastics. Is it really safe to eat fish?The bottom line: Fish is an important part of a healthy diet because the benefits outweigh the risks. Studies involving hundreds of thousands of people over decades have found that people who eat one or two 3-ounce servings of fish a week have a nearly 40% reduction in death from heart disease — the No. 1 cause of death in the United States and other developed nations. Regular fish intake also is associated with a lower risk of strokes and Alzheimer's disease. These benefits make sense: regular meals of fish reduce the risks of high blood pressure, inflammation, and lethal, abnormal heart rhythms.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.