Catfish: Do They Really Belong in the "Unhealthy" Category?

Fish is a low-fat food touted as imparting numerous health benefits to its consumers. However, as you are probably well aware, not all fish are created equally in terms of quality, flavor and other factors. One debated factor is the nutritious value of certain kinds of fish. Fried catfish Plano is a popular dish in the South, for instance. In fact, catfish are popular in many areas around the world due to their versatility and affordability. However, many individuals believe that catfish are unhealthy because they are bottom feeders who consume sediment and pollution from the bottom of bodies of waters. Are they really bad for you though?

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The Circumstances

Not all catfish are bottom feeders. Only some species are. This is the first thing to keep in mind. The second thing to consider is that what bottom-feeding species consume depends on their habitat. While some may live in areas with harmful substances or less-than-tasty dirt and algae that may affect their flavor, if the waters they inhabit are relatively clean, the catfish themselves are not innately bad to eat. There is also a distinction between wild catfish and farm-bred ones. The latter may have been raised in better conditions, making their flesh more delicious or free of those materials like heavy metals that people raise concerns over.

The Nutrition

Catfish possess their fair share of healthy nutrients. They carry Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been proven to be good for the human body. They are also sources of vitamins such as vitamin D and vitamin B12. Like other types of fish, they are also an excellent way to get in your daily protein intake.

The bottom line is that catfish are not by themselves bad for humans to eat. The environments they were taken from may have an impact on how they taste and may result in their bodies containing unhealthy content such as heavy metals and pollutions, but this can be bypassed by purchasing catfish raised on a farm where conditions are controlled.