Tuna is a popular and nutritious saltwater fish, but you may worry about its mercury content. This article reviews mercury in tuna and tells you whether it’s safe to eat this fish.

Though mercury levels in light tuna tend to be low on average, it’s clear from CR’s data that there can be unpredictable spikes of the toxin in individual cans.

Tuna is also a low-calorie, high-protein option at just 142 calories for a single can and 32 grams of protein. Unlike other high-protein foods, tuna has just a trace of saturated fat.

It suggests that kids stick to light or skipjack tuna and eat low-mercury fish in limited quantities. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct a line comparing light tuna to albacore.

Tuna’s one big health drawback, experts say, is the risk posed by mercury, a neurotoxin. This heavy metal enters the ocean mostly from human activities like burning fossil fuels.

If you're looking for low mercury fish, here's a rule for the wise: 'Generally speaking, it is best to look for fish that are considered "non-pelagic’ or ‘ground fish,"' says Ciarametaro.

They found popular albacore tuna had the highest mercury levels, while light varieties had relatively low mercury, on average, though results varied from can to can. “There were some cans CR ...

Canned “light” tuna is low in mercury (so you can eat up to three cans a week if you are pregnant, if that is the only fish you eat) Canned skipjack tuna is also low in mercury.

To give an overall recap: Low-mercury tuna like skipjack? “You can have them as much as you want,” Van Eck says. “That’s probably okay to eat every day,” Dr. Sunderland elaborates.