Tuna is a saltwater fish with many nutritionist benefits for humans. It contains an important profile of micro and macronutrients, omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, choline, cholesterol, and dietary minerals and protein.
Tuna can be considered one of the favorite fish consumed by people who need a good amount of protein intake. It contains around 20-30g of proteins for a serving of 100g. Very helpful to build and repair muscles and provide benefits for nervous system health.
Anyway, some people, especially those who suffer from kidney failure, have to take care of the potassium content of foods, and consuming foods low in potassium is their main priority. Is it the case with tuna? Can tuna be consumed by people that have to follow a low potassium diet? Do tuna contain potassium?
Potassium is a mineral found in almost all types of foods, some specific foods may contain more potassium than others, and its daily assumption will mainly depend on your health.
The recommended daily intake of potassium is between 3,400 and 4,700mg. At the same time, people affected by chronic kidney disease have to follow particular restrictions dictated by renal dietitians that will limits the intake of it.
Is canned tuna fish high in potassium?
Canned tuna is one of the most common ways of purchasing tuna. However, in the United States, the commercial of canned tuna can be done only if the tuna species is the albacore. Canned tuna has the advantage of lasting more time than the fresh version while keeping almost the same nutrition benefits.
The potassium amount for a serving of 100g is slightly lower than the fresh version, but particular attention must be done regarding its sodium content, which will be high, 247 mg of sodium for a serving of 100g.
Potassium content of tuna by types
When we speak about tuna fish, we do not refer to a single specie. Indeed, 15 different types of tuna are available in the market. They may differ mainly in taste, nutrition values, and potassium content.
In this part of the article, we will analyze the potassium content of the most famous species of tuna fish.
Albacore tuna fish potassium content
Bigeye tuna potassium content
bluefin tuna potassium content
Bonito tuna potassium content
Yellowfin tuna potassium content
Is tuna salad high in potassium?
Tuna salad represents one of the tastiest ways of eating tuna.
The preparation of tuna salad is subjective, and the choice of different ingredients may increase its overall taste.
The adding of different ingredients such as garlic, onion, mayo, and lemon juice, may alter its final potassium content.
For that reason, depending on your level of chronic kidney disease, it is fundamental to consider the potassium content of each ingredient added to the salad, avoiding overcoming the recommended intake suggested by your renal dietician.
Is tuna good for kidneys?
People affected by chronic kidney disease should limit potassium and sodium intake, mainly because the kidneys of patients affected by CKD may find difficulty in expelling the excess amount of potassium present in the blood.
Depending on the species you decide to consume, tuna may contain a high or medium potassium content. Therefore, tuna fish may be an optimal meal to integrate into your kidney-friendly diet if consumed in moderation.
Furthermore, tuna is rich in important nutrients for our health. It is high in vitamin D and phosphorus.
The low amount of calories makes tuna an excellent fish to be integrated into a weight loss diet. In fact, into a serving of 100g of tuna, we will find 150 to 250 calories on average.
Final thoughts
If you are searching for a fish that gives you a lot of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, tuna is undoubtedly one of those. Anyway, regarding the potassium content of tuna, it is essential to keep in mind that it can vary, mainly depending on the species of tuna you will purchase and the modality of cooking.