Shark fins, the main ingredient found in shark fin soup, can be highly toxic to humans, additionally, it poses many serious threats to human health. Shark meat, including fins, contain high levels of BMAA, these high levels could pose a major threat to the consumer’s health. A recent study by the University of Miami found high concentrations of beta-Methylamino-L-alanine, or BMAA, in shark fins. BMAA is a neurotoxin linked to many neurodegenerative diseases in humans, such diseases include Alzheimer's and ALS. The study concludes that the consumption of shark products, including and most importantly, shark fin soup, can pose serious health risks (Neurotoxin 1). If someone has high levels of BMAA, then many neurodegenerative diseases can occur. By consuming shark fins people increase the amount of BMAA found in the body. If the levels get too high, then neurons start to dissipate, causing increased risk of contracting diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ALS.
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In a study published in the in the Marine Pollution Bulletin, found that shark fins had high concentrations of arsenic. These high levels can result in serious implications for consumers of shark fin soup. Dr. Reichelt-Brushett, one of the researchers involved in the study, additionally found that food preparation was highly unlikely to do anything to lower these high concentrations (Hannam 2). Arsenic is a type of poison mainly used to kill rats, but it’s consumption can still be very fatal to humans. Effects of exposure to arsenic include include “...skin lesions, peripheral neuropathy, gastrointestinal symptoms, diabetes, renal system effects, cardiovascular disease and cancer” (Exposure 1). Especially since food preparation does nothing to lower these high levels of arsenic, shark fins, should not be consumed in any way by
In a study published in the in the Marine Pollution Bulletin, found that shark fins had high concentrations of arsenic. These high levels can result in serious implications for consumers of shark fin soup. Dr. Reichelt-Brushett, one of the researchers involved in the study, additionally found that food preparation was highly unlikely to do anything to lower these high concentrations (Hannam 2). Arsenic is a type of poison mainly used to kill rats, but it’s consumption can still be very fatal to humans. Effects of exposure to arsenic include include “...skin lesions, peripheral neuropathy, gastrointestinal symptoms, diabetes, renal system effects, cardiovascular disease and cancer” (Exposure 1). Especially since food preparation does nothing to lower these high levels of arsenic, shark fins, should not be consumed in any way by