Share
Many seafood lovers might be tempted to splurge on the catch of the day when the monsoon season sweeps across the area, bringing with it cold rains and wind. The hazards associated with ingesting seafood during the rainy season must be taken into account before you take the next mouthful of your favourite fish treat.
When it rains, is it okay to eat fish? The benefits of seafood are weighed against the potential risks that may be present underneath the surface by health-conscious people when they consider their options. We examine alternate choices to satiate your appetite for marine delicacies while prioritising your health in this article, which delves into the reasons why eating seafood during the rainy season may not be the best dietary decision.
The Health Hazards Of Eating Seafood In Monsoon:
Eating seafood during the monsoon season exposes people to a number of potential health hazards and side effects because of several variables like illness, mercury poisoning, and water pollution:
Mercury Poisoning:
Some fish species, particularly big predatory fish like sharks, swordfish, king mackerel, and tuna, have a tendency to accumulate higher quantities of mercury in their bodies. Heavy rains during the monsoon can cause contaminants like mercury to wash into water bodies, increasing the levels of this dangerous metal in fish. Mercury can harm the nervous system when eaten in excess, especially in young children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.
Water Pollution:
During the monsoon season, runoff from industrial, urban, and agricultural regions can enter rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. This runoff can contain pollutants such as pesticides, fertilisers, heavy metals, and other toxins. When consumed, dangerous compounds that are present in the seafood from these polluted areas may have a deleterious effect on human health.
One of the most common health hazards associated with eating seafood during the monsoon season is food poisoning. This can be caused by eating seafood that has been contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Symptoms of food poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. In severe cases, food poisoning can lead to hospitalisation.
Infections:
Consuming seafood during the monsoon season increases the chance of contracting a foodborne infection. In aquatic bodies, warmer temperatures and high humidity foster the growth of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Seafood contamination and accompanying illnesses such as food poisoning, gastroenteritis, and other gastrointestinal infections can result from improper handling, storage, or cooking of the seafood.
Another health hazard associated with eating seafood during the monsoon season is a parasitic infection. These infections can be caused by eating seafood that is infected with parasites, such as roundworms, flukes, or tapeworms. Symptoms of parasitic infections can include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. In severe cases, parasitic infections can lead to death.
What Should You Do To Reduce The Risk Of Consuming Seafood In The Monsoon?
To protect one's health, one must minimise the risk associated with seafood eating during the monsoon season. People should, first and foremost, choose seafood from reputable vendors who follow strict guidelines for food safety and hygiene. This entails buying fish and other seafood from respectable merchants, markets, or eateries with a reputation for careful handling.
The danger of contamination and foodborne illnesses can be considerably decreased at these establishments by ensuring safe seafood storage and handling. Another efficient preventive approach is good personal cleanliness, such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling shellfish. Foodborne infections can be avoided by properly chilling fresh seafood and swiftly tossing any that smells odd or appears rotten.
