Seafood

Dolphin

Written by the VitaWhat editorial team · Medically reviewed by Steve Davis · Last reviewed 19 July 2026 · Editorial policy

Eaten in a few regions, but protected in most and unsafe to eat.

Effect on the body: as a long-lived marine mammal it carries very high levels of mercury and PCBs that can cause nerve and developmental damage; it is protected and should not be eaten.

Benefits

  • Protein
  • Iron

Pros

  • (No meaningful advantage over safer fish)

Cons

  • Extremely high in mercury and other pollutants — a serious neurotoxin risk
  • Protected species; hunting/sale is illegal in the UK, EU, US and many countries
  • Strong ethical objections

Sources & references

  1. WHO — Q&A on red/processed meat
  2. British Nutrition Foundation

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