Do You Eat Sushi? Read This

A lot of people adore sushi, but they might not realize the health risks associated with their culinary delights. A recent compilation of past studies strongly suggested that parasites in seafood might be on the rise. For anyone who eats raw or undercooked seafood, the risk of contracting parasites is real. In the last 40 years, the abundance of worms in these items has gone up drastically. A 283-fold increase in a worm that can be transmitted to marine animals and humans has been seen in raw seafood since the 1970s. Fortunately, there are things diners can do to reduce their chances of becoming infected — but only if they know and take precautions.

The Anisakis or "Herring Worm" is Found in Raw Seafood

The idea that anyone enjoying a piece of sushi could accidentally be eating worms isn’t very pleasant. If nigiri, sashimi, or other raw fish dishes are on the menu, a study from the University of Washington suggests that the herring worm might also be on the menu. And it turns out that most people who eat sushi probably don’t realize the potential odds of these worms being present or that they can be transmitted to humans.

That lack of awareness may be because the prevalence of the worms has risen significantly in the past 40 years. During the 1970s, these parasites were uncommon in fish and invertebrates. But over time, the parasite numbers have increased. Couple this with a larger interest in sushi in areas of the world where it wasn’t previously that popular, and the opportunity for higher parasite infestations has appeared.

Increasing Parasites in Sushi May Be the Result of Climate Change

In addition to sushi’s current popularity, there are other factors that may have contributed to a greater number of parasite infestations. These include the changing climate throughout the world and a larger population of marine mammals. Additionally, the UW researchers think that runoff and fertilizers making their way into the ocean in larger amounts may be part of the reason these parasites appear to be thriving.

Seals, dolphins and whales are the marine mammals most impacted by these worms, and it’s possible that the parasites may cause compromised survival in already struggling populations.

The Risk of Parasites After Eating Sushi

For some people, the idea of eating a piece of seafood that might have worms in it is enough to make them reconsider their dining habits. But others may love sushi too much to just give it up. For these folks, there is some good news. Experienced sushi chefs are very good at finding and removing these worms. Even researchers who have looked into the parasites and their increase over the last four decades still say they feel comfortable eating sushi.

The risk of infection is small, and infestation is relatively easy to treat if someone is unlucky enough to contract worms. For those who are concerned about the risk, it can be lowered by choosing quality sushi from reputable vendors — or maybe they could select something that’s cooked as opposed to raw, or reassure themselves by asking questions about preparation.

Those who have medical conditions that might be seriously affected by parasites should generally abstain from eating sushi. If you have concerns, consult a healthcare provider for more information and take some logical precautions to protect yourself but know that the odds of a problem are actually pretty small so try to relax and have a good time enjoying your sushi.

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