Burgers Beat Tilapia for Delivering Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Tilapia can get you in trouble if you’re looking to control inflammatory diseases.

Not only does this farm-raised fish have low levels of Omega-3 fatty acids… it has high levels of the not so desirable Omega-6.

Researchers with the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston Salem, North Carolina, say Tilapia is not the fish to eat for people looking to maintain a heart-healthy diet.

Wake Forest researchers tell us farmed tilapia contains fairly low levels of omega-3 fatty acids – less than half a gram per 100 grams of fish, similar to flounder and swordfish.  Farmed salmon and trout offer nearly 3 and 4 grams, respectively.

Tilapia is a popular fish and its popularity is increasing.  But eating 80% lean hamburger delivers less of the unhealthy Omega-6 fatty acids.  80% .

Writing in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Wake Forest researchers note that “For individuals who are eating fish as a method to control inflammatory diseases such as heart disease, it is clear from these numbers that tilapia is not a good choice.”

Tagged as: anti-inflammatory, omega-3, Tilapia