Eating shark has its benefits but experts warn you should think twice before taking a bite

It’s Shark Week — and for all their mystery, power and danger, some shark species are also prized as seafood.Shark is eaten in many parts of the world and is especially popular in Brazil, Iceland, South Korea, Japan, Spain and Portugal.While it’s far less common in the United States due to sustainability and health concerns, it can still be found at some restaurants and seafood markets.In many countries, shark meat is an inexpensive protein, with almost 18 grams of protein in an average 3-ounce raw portion, but it can also contain dangerous levels of toxins.“Shark meat does provide high-quality protein, along with nutrients such as selenium and certain B vitamins, making it a good source of lean protein,” Lisa Young, registered dietitian and adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University, told Fox News Digital.“However, its drawbacks generally outweigh its benefits,” she added.

 “Because sharks are large, long-lived predators at the top of the food chain, they tend to accumulate high levels of mercury and other environmental contaminants over time,” she said.The lean, high-quality protein and valuable micronutrients, including selenium, B12, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that shark meat contains, also come with the highest mercury burden in the commercial market, Kantha Shelke, senior lecturer of food safety regulations at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, told Fox News Digital.“Nutritionally, one can get just as much or more from salmon and sardines but without the risk,” Shelke said.“If pregnant, planning to be, breastfeeding or feeding children, please skip it.”The high mercury concentration can adversely affect the central nervous system, especially the developing fetal brain, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women and children.“Sharks also contain arsenic, another dangerous [heavy-metal contaminant] to avoid,” Shelke said.“For healthy adults, shark should not be a regular part ...