With lengths of nearly 13 feet (4m) and weights of up to 2000 pounds (900 kg), tuna are one of the fastest and strongest predators in the open ocean. They are also the biggest species of mackerel and are only eaten by toothed whales, sharks, and, of course, people.
Many species of tuna are the target of small and large-scale fisheries around the world. In fact, they are one of the most commercially valuable species on the planet. One bluefin tuna was once sold for more than $700,000. Why do fisheries target this species with almost unmatched effort? Because of its high value in the high-end sushi market, many tuna populations have been wiped out by overfishing.
Because they are expensive and not very common, fish like bluefin tuna are often used in seafood fraud.
Why Does Tuna Make Me Poop? Unraveling the Fishy Connection
For tuna lovers out there, this pungent fish can be a delicious and nutritious dietary staple. But if you’ve noticed your trips to the bathroom increasing after feasting on tuna, you’re not alone. Let’s unravel why this fish seems to have laxative-like effects for some people.
The Scoop on Tuna’s NutrientsTuna is prized for its stellar nutritional profile. A 3 ounce serving of light tuna canned in water has about
- 116 calories
- 25 grams of protein
- 0 grams of carbohydrates
- 0 grams of fiber
With zero carbs and fiber, tuna lacks the conventional poop-promoting nutrients. But it does offer abundant protein, as well as good amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, selenium, and other vitamins and minerals.
While tuna itself may not be a high fiber food, its nutritional benefits still make it a healthy choice. But portion control is key, since anything eaten in excess can lead to GI upset.
Why Tuna Triggers Bowel MovementsIf tuna isn’t directly making you poop. what’s the connection? A few theories help explain why this fish affects bathroom habits for some folks
- Response to Protein
Tuna is high in protein but low in carbs and fiber. This nutrient profile could imbalanced some people’s digestive processes if protein intake isn’t properly balanced with other foods.
Eating too much protein at once may cause the colon to absorb extra fluid, potentially leading to loose stools or diarrhea. This response is individualized, but limiting tuna portions may help if protein seems to be a trigger.
- Oil Content in Canned Tuna
If you opt for tuna canned in oil, the added fat content could also contribute to bowel changes. The fats and oils require digestion and may accelerate gastrointestinal motility and stool passage time for some individuals.
Sticking to tuna canned in water eliminates this potential fatty influence.
- Mercury Concentrations
Tuna contains traces of mercury, a heavy metal that our bodies can accumulate over time. High mercury levels impact digestive health and may promote loose stools or diarrhea when consumption exceeds recommended limits.
Pregnant women and young children are at highest risk for mercury overexposure from tuna.
- Histamine Intolerance
Some individuals have sensitivities to histamines, a compound involved in immune responses. Tuna and other fish can contain elevated histamine levels, which may stimulate GI distress like diarrhea in sensitive persons.
Antihistamine medications may provide relief for those with diagnosed histamine intolerance.
- Iodine Content
Tuna contains a significant amount of iodine, a mineral important for thyroid function. Consuming very high amounts of iodine may stimulate intestinal motility, resulting in loose stool or diarrhea in susceptible individuals.
Those with diagnosed iodine sensitivities may need to limit or avoid tuna and other iodine-rich seafood.
- Contamination or Spoilage
Like any food, tuna can contain pathogens leading to foodborne illness if contaminated or spoiled. Canned tuna rarely causes such illness thanks to regulations for commercial canning. But improperly handled fresh tuna does pose a higher risk.
Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common symptoms of tuna-related food poisoning.
Maximizing Tuna’s Benefits, Minimizing Bathroom Havoc
While tuna’s poop prowess varies individually, some general tips can help harness its nutritional power without GI torment:
- Stick to recommended tuna intake limits
- Balance tuna with high fiber foods
- Opt for tuna canned in water over oil
- Buy high quality, untampered canned or fresh tuna
- Practice proper food prep and storage measures
- Consider other protein options if tuna seems problematic
- Stay hydrated and active to support healthy digestion
The Takeaway on Tuna and Poop
So does tuna make you poop? For some folks, yes, this fish can have a laxative effect. But for others, tuna is digested with no issue. Understanding the potential reasons behind tuna’s impact can help tailor your intake.
Be mindful of portion sizes, pair tuna with fibrous sides, and hydrate well to optimize digestion. If bathroom issues still ensue, try limiting tuna or opting for other protein sources. Consulting a healthcare provider is wise if significant gastrointestinal distress occurs.
Overall, being informed about tuna’s effects and listening to your body’s cues are the best ways to benefit from its nutrients without disrupting your poop schedule. Armed with these insights, you can confidently enjoy tuna without heading straight to the toilet afterwards!
The oppor-tuna-ty for fraud…
Seafood fraud is any dishonest activity that misrepresents the product being purchased. Though seafood fraud takes many forms, of particular concern is species substitution. It’s possible to get something very different when you think you’re getting tuna because of lax labeling laws.
Oceana conducted a global review of more than 200 seafood fraud studies; 65 per cent of these studies found clear evidence of economically motivated mislabelling of products. This ‘bait and switch’ is when one type of fish, generally a cheaper or more readily abundant species, is sold as a more expensive fish.
The word “tuna” refers to 61 different species of fish that scientists usually call “tunas” or “tuna-like fish.” “In Canada, seafood labels only need to have a generic market name and the country where the seafood came from.” Naming protocols allow many different species to be listed under the same common name. There are eight species of true tuna on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Fish List, and six species that aren’t tuna but can be sold under the name “tuna.” ”.
However, these species don’t have much in common. Some, like bluefin tuna, are critically endangered, while others are not. Levels of mercury also differ according not only to the species, but where it was caught. Unfortunately, in Canada consumers aren’t given the information they need to know which species they are purchasing or where it was harvested.
Photo Credit: Oceana/Thierry Lannoy and Oceana/Pilar Marin
Are you really eating tuna?
In Ottawa, Canada’s capital, Oceana Canada tested fish for DNA and found that almost half of the fish were mislabeled last summer. Four out of five samples of white tuna were actually escolar, a fish that is known as the “laxative of the sea.” The oily fish in question is not at all related to tuna, and it can make you sick with diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. The health concerns are so severe that it is banned in Italy, South Korea and Japan.
We wish this was only a problem in Canada, but our colleagues from Oceana offices around the world have found similar examples of fraud. In Brussels, 95 per cent of bluefin tuna samples were fraudulent. And in the US, a shocking 94 per cent of white tuna samples were mislabelled, with 84 per cent of samples actually being escolar.
This “bait and switch” practice is bad for public health and safety, cheats customers, and hurts law-abiding, honest fishers and seafood businesses. It also hurts the long-term economic and environmental health of fisheries and fish populations. It can even mask global human rights abuses by creating a market for illegally caught fish.
Photo Credit: Miki Tiger
Is Canned Tuna Safe To Eat? Experts Weigh In On The Benefits Of Eating The Canned Fish | TIME
Can eating a lot of fiber make you poop?
If you are used to eating a diet low in fiber, incorporating a lot of fiber all at once can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, cramping or bloating to actually worsen. The goal is to gradually add in more high-fiber foods so your digestive system has a chance to acclimate. Are there foods that make you poop instantly?
What causes undigested food in stool?
Another harmless culprit of undigested food appearing in stool is eating too quickly. When a person eats too fast and swallows their food without fully chewing it, it is more likely to pass through the digestive tract without completely breaking down. Eating too quickly may result in incomplete digestion, where food does not break down completely.
Why does my body not fully digest food?
There are some reasons why the body might not completely digest foods that do not cause concern. Undigested food can appear in the stool if there is material in food that is indigestible, such as cellulose in some high fiber foods.