The Center for Food and Toxicological Environmental Technology of the Rovira i Virgili University in collaboration with Balfego show that selenium neutralizes the absorption of elements such as mercury. This shows that the presence of selenium in fish such as bluefin tuna means that elements such as mercury are not assimilated in the same way by the body.
Furthermore, the study in which the bluefin tuna capture, producer and marketer company Balfegó participated shows the benefits of selenium. Among other benefits and in addition to creating a compound that is not absorbable by the human body, selenium is combined with mercury. Selenium is a trace element with antioxidant properties that helps the proper functioning of the immune system, the cardiovascular system and the brain.
Research positions tuna as healthier thanks to selenium and despite mercury
The researchers at the Center for Food and Toxicological Environmental Technology of the Rovira i Virgili University have done a great job. It has been shown, together with Balfegó, that the new substance from the union of selenium and mercury allows the human body to eliminate mercury before it is assimilated by the body.
The joint work and commitment of the Balfegó company to the study has been key. Its R&D department has been working in this direction for years and to advance science in knowledge.
In the study, both the dark and white muscle parts of the tuna have been used and in both cases selenium is present in sufficient quantities to generate this new compound with the mercury present.
The tests that are carried out when the tuna is cooked are also important. In this sense, the study also concludes that once cooked, selenium continues to be present, especially in the dark muscle. In conclusion, the study shows that tuna is a healthy food, providing enormous benefits despite the possible presence of mercury.
