Fish is a source of food that has a lot of nutritional content. One type of fish that is famous for its nutritional content that is no less important for the body, namely tuna.
Its soft texture and minimal fish bones make it safe for consumption not only by adults, but also babies and children.
Tuna is a type of fish that is quite popular because it has many health benefits, including for baby’s growth and development. In order for the benefits of tuna for babies to be optimal, mama also needs to pay attention to several things before serving it.
Just like other types of fish, you can process tuna as a complementary food menu. Mothers can already introduce this fish to your little one at the beginning of the solids period or when your little one is 6 months old. You can get tuna in the market in the form of whole and fresh or in canned form.
Tuna has a variety of nutrients needed by the body, such as protein, B vitamins, vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium, and choline. In addition, this fish is also a source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Seeing the abundance of these nutrients, it’s a shame if you miss giving tuna to your little one. Well, here are the benefits of tuna for babies:
1. Supports brain development
Tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients have a major role in supporting the neurodevelopment of the baby’s brain. With sufficient intake of this, your little one will grow up to be a smart child who has a high level of concentration and memory.
2. Healthy heart
In addition to containing a lot of protein that can meet the needs of the body, another benefit of tuna for babies is that it contains healthy fats.
This is because the saturated fat content in fish is low, so it helps maintain heart health by reducing the risk of high blood pressure.
Meanwhile, saturated fat in high levels can actually cause bad effects because it clogs blood vessels and puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Tuna also has a high content of omega-3 essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA.
These types of essential fatty acids are able to prevent various inflammations in the body, which can damage blood vessels and cause heart disease and stroke.
3. Increase hemoglobin production
The benefits of tuna for babies can increase hemoglobin
The benefits of tuna for babies are also useful for increasing hemoglobin production. Tuna is also rich in vitamin B6, especially yellowfin and albacore tuna. Vitamin B6 obtained from tuna offers various benefits for the body. One of them, which helps increase the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that functions to capture and carry oxygen in the blood to all body tissues that need oxygen. If there is not enough oxygen in each tissue, the function of these tissues will decrease and make the body feel tired easily.
4. Reduce inflammation
The risk of colitis decreases because of the benefits of tuna for babies
Based on research published in the Oxford Academic journal, the benefits of tuna for babies function as anti-inflammatory. The content of DHA and EPA is useful for reducing the risk of various chronic diseases, such as colitis, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, to cancer.
5. Healthy eyes
Eyesight is maintained because of the benefits of tuna for babies
The benefits of tuna for babies are useful for maintaining eye vision. Research published in Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, one of the components in eye tissue is omega-3 fatty acids. DHA as omega-3 is found in the retina of the eye. Due to the high content of DHA, the retina is also able to carry out its function, which is to detect and respond to light, which is then forwarded to the brain for processing in visual form. This is because DHA is able to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis in blood vessels by inhibiting the formation of fat plugs and blood clots. In addition, another study from Revista Paulista de Pediatria found that omega-3 in tuna fish for 6-month-old babies is also useful for sharpening vision. In fact, these benefits can be felt until the baby is 12 months old.
Is tuna safe for babies?
In addition to the benefits of tuna for babies, the risk of tuna is mercury contamination
Although there are various benefits of tuna for babies, you should not be advised to give your child too much tuna intake. Because the biggest concern in giving tuna fish to babies is the exposure to mercury contained in it. Mercury is a type of heavy metal that is naturally It is found in soil, water, and air, and is a key ingredient in several industrial processes. these substances can contaminate the water and then be absorbed by the fish that live in it. In general, white albacore tuna contains higher mercury than canned tuna. Consuming fish with a high mercury content can cause health problems, especially if you are not careful in the process processing. If your child is contaminated with mercury, it can harm the nervous system and interfere with the baby’s growth and development. Meanwhile, in pregnant and lactating women, mercury exposure can affect fetal development. Always provide food for children in a cooked state. Do not give half cooked especially raw to prevent children from food poisoning.
How much tuna can babies eat?
The benefits of tuna for babies are obtained when serving and the dosage is right
Although there is mercury in tuna, this fish is still considered safe for consumption. However, of course as long as you consume it wisely and know which type of tuna is safe to eat. For babies, it is recommended that you give ounce or half a handful of tuna , every week or two, into his diet. You can cut or chop the tuna into small pieces to prevent your little one from choking while eating. Meanwhile, for a child who weighs around 9 kilograms can eat a can of light tuna every three weeks without experiencing any risk. Then, for those of you who are pregnant, still limit the consumption of tuna fish to less than 170 grams a week. In addition to tuna, you who want to provide fish intake with high omega-3 content, you can choose other types of fish, such as salmon, anchovies, and sardines. This type of fish is safe for consumption and has a low mercury content.
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