In recent times, health has become a huge part of our lives, dominating every aspect of it.The pandemic has brought out the urgency in us, and we must practice constant sanitization, and eat healthy food to have a better immune system. But it is not feasible for us to assume that everyone has the knowledge and guidelines to follow a good diet and become the best version of themselves.It does not just depend on knowledge, as it also needs to be cost-effective and easily available. To ensure this, we must focus on foods that people can pick up from a market in a jiffy, and will like the taste of, as that is one of the leading factors why people choose fast food over nutritious food. One such example of foods that meet said criteria is canned tuna and fresh tuna.The obvious need not be stated; canned tuna is filled with goodness, as the nutrients it contains are very beneficial to a human being. If cooked correctly, the taste is unrivaled and if eaten with rice or some bread, or even in a salad, it can provide just the right taste and health benefits for it to be consumed on a regular basis. Read on to find out more about canned tuna and how it can add nutrients to your diet.If you enjoyed reading this article, you must also check out these canned salmon nutrition facts and canned oysters nutrition facts here at Kidadl.Fun Facts About Canned TunaCanned tuna, as stated above, is cost-effective and filled with nutrients. As tuna is a saltwater fish, it has eight different varieties and is one of the most consumed forms of fish in the world!Some of the popular tuna species are yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and so many more. The most popular type of tuna species is skipjack, usually found in the canned tuna form.The best kind of tuna to buy is usually a variation called light tuna. More flavourful than white meat tuna, light tuna variations include skipjack, which is popular for the aforementioned reasons. Light tuna has a softer texture and is darker in color. Light tuna also contains less mercury than its other counterparts.There is also something called albacore tuna, which is a longfin tuna. Albacore tuna is found in all the major oceans and is hence in high demand across the globe. Roaming the tropical and temperate oceans of the world, the fish is lighter and smaller than other tuna.Tuna, on its own, is eaten in many different ways. Raw tuna is eaten in Asian countries and canned and cooked tuna in other parts of the world. Tuna tastes amazing in just about everything you put it in, and you can dig in with a fork, especially when it’s canned!A kind of food that can be enjoyed once a week and acts as an additive in just about everything, there are some concerns about mercury levels in tuna farmed nowadays. As a result, health administrations all around the world suggest that pregnant women consume as little of it as possible, despite its health benefits and fatty acids.Did you know that canned tuna has been around since the 1900s? It was first invented in Australia and quickly gained popularity all over the world! But you also must be wondering who consumes it the most, right? If you were thinking of Japan, you were correct.As a predominantly coastal country, Japan has an abundance of fish, particularly tuna, which explains why canned tuna is so popular there. To top all of this off, the largest tuna fish ever sold was 488.4 lb (222 kg), and cost $1.8 million!Nutritional Facts About Canned TunaAs human beings, taking care of ourselves is necessary, and food is one of the biggest aspects of that. Finding the right food for us is critical, and tuna can help.There are several essential nutrients in canned tuna. Firstly, and this is more of a convenience factor than anything else, as it comes in a can, it comes pre-cooked. It can save us a lot of time when we buy it, and that makes it even more appealing to the audience. Secondly, when it comes down to what it provides for our bodies, canned tuna is very low in calories, a good source of protein, high in Omega 3 fatty acids, and a good source of potassium.Protein, as is common knowledge, helps our body repair and restate tissues, allows metabolic functions to be conducted smoothly, and provides a proper pH, to name a few. One serving of tuna is usually found to contain 0.98 oz (28 g) of protein, hence it being called ‘rich in protein’. Canned tuna is also called ‘pure protein’, due to its low total fat. The essential amino acids are combined with the protein found in canned tuna. Potassium helps in regulating fluid balance and nerve signals. Calories can increase the saturated fat content of your body, and as canned tuna contains only 0.07 oz (2 g) of saturated total fat per serving size, it helps you more than anything.The serving size is very filling and ensures a full stomach whilst also letting the body achieve true health, especially with the amount of Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids, a vital type of fat that the body cannot produce on its own, are found in certain types of fish, and especially in high quantities in canned tuna. Several studies have shown that Omega 3 fatty acids cause a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and help in the further reduction of Omega 6 in the body, which might cause the clogging of arteries that lead to the heart. For the reasons mentioned above, tuna is also considered healthier than chicken. Tuna can be a bit harder to digest as a part of your diet as it does not contain fibre.Harmful Facts About Canned TunaDespite all the benefits mentioned above, eating tuna is not all a bed of roses. Canned tuna has an impact negatively as well, as has been mentioned below.Let’s start with the fact that mercury poisoning is a significant risk in canned tuna. Also called hydrargyrum, it is usually caused by consuming the heavy metal mercury, which is a neurotoxin found in tuna.Pregnant women, as mentioned under earlier headings, if they consume mercury in that amount, can cause disorders in their babies. Spoiled fish can also be a concern, and can cause a problem called ‘Scromboid Poisoning’, where you can experience facial flushing and dizziness. If consumed, BPA, a component used in most cans, can cause long-term defects.Histamine poisoning, although not fatal, has become a growing problem due to canned tuna. Sodium, especially higher quantities of it, is a big no-no for people with high blood pressure. Canned tuna contains about 0.007-0.010 oz (200-300 mg) of sodium, and can pose a risk to those with cardiovascular problems.Eating processed foods like canned tuna rather than fresh tuna contributes a lot in a negative way to people suffering from heart problems, as it contains a lot of cholesterol. Apart from that, a lighter but still important thing is that when canned tuna is packed in oil, it has a higher amount of fat than fresh oil. For a healthier way to enjoy your favourite fish, avoid buying canned tuna in oil.Facts About Canned Tuna’s Preparation ProcessInvented at the beginning of the 1900s, it was originally done to preserve the fish for longer periods, especially needed during the time of the World Wars. Below, we will discuss the process of how it is made.Firstly, the tuna is caught by fishermen, and the head and tail are removed, which is when the fish is gutted to remove everything apart from the flesh consumed. Pre-cooked for a couple of hours, the tuna is cooled. After these steps are completed, the bones are removed from the fish.The tuna is vacuum sealed in a can with one of these liquids, either oil or water.The tuna is cooked again, in a process called retort cooking, to kill off any bacteria left. Finally, the tuna can is branded and shipped off to supermarkets for you to buy and enjoy!Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 101 Canned Tuna Nutrition Facts: Things You Should Know then why not take a look at canned sardines nutrition facts, or canned corn nutrition facts.
In recent times, health has become a huge part of our lives, dominating every aspect of it.
