Winter Fish Consumption: River, Pond, or Farm? Research Reveals Safest Choice

• Fish consumption rises in winter, but concerns about pollution transfer from water bodies to humans through fish are growing.
• Shirjeel Ahmed Siddiqui, a researcher at Aligarh Muslim University, highlights that aquaculture (farmed fish) is significantly safer due to controlled environments and clean water.
• Fish from rivers, canals, and open seas are exposed to pollutants like industrial waste and chemicals, which accumulate in their tissues.
• Heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, and nickel pose the biggest threat as they persist in fish and biomagnify up the food chain, increasing toxicity for humans.
• Consuming polluted fish can weaken the immune system, damage kidneys and liver, and increase the risk of serious diseases like cancer.

Why It Matters: Opt for aquaculture fish over wild-caught to minimize exposure to pollutants and heavy metals for better health.