What are the禁忌 (contraindications) for eating mullet fish?
Dec 09, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Huang Yuhong
Introduction
Mullet is a type of seafood containing various heterologous proteins, which may trigger allergic reactions such as skin itching, rashes, and breathing difficulties in individuals with allergic constitutions; such individuals should strictly avoid consuming it. Mullet may carry parasites or bacteria, and if not thoroughly cooked during preparation, these parasites and bacteria cannot be eliminated, making it easy to cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting after consumption.
Mullet is nutritious, but there are certain contraindications to be aware of when consuming it. Generally, these include avoiding consumption by individuals with allergies, undercooked mullet, spoiled mullet, and cautious intake by those with gout or spleen-stomach deficiency-cold. The details are as follows:
1. Avoid for allergic individuals: Mullet is a type of seafood containing various foreign proteins. People with allergic constitutions may experience allergic reactions such as skin itching, rashes, or difficulty breathing after consumption. These individuals should strictly avoid eating it.
2. Do not eat undercooked mullet: Mullet may carry parasites or bacteria. If not thoroughly cooked, these pathogens cannot be killed, which may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, or even parasitic infections.
3. Avoid spoiled mullet: Spoiled mullet produces harmful substances and shows signs such as sticky flesh, darkened color, and unpleasant odor. Consuming spoiled mullet can irritate the digestive tract mucosa, causing food poisoning and serious health risks.
4. Caution for gout patients: Mullet is high in purines. Consumption by gout patients may increase uric acid levels in the body, triggering or worsening symptoms such as joint redness, swelling, and pain. Intake should be strictly limited or avoided altogether.
5. Caution for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: Mullet has a relatively cold nature. Individuals with weak digestive function due to spleen-stomach deficiency-cold may experience aggravated internal coldness if they consume too much, leading to discomfort such as bloating, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Such individuals should consume it cautiously.
Before eating mullet, ensure you understand your own health condition and avoid violating these contraindications. If discomfort occurs after consumption, stop eating it immediately and seek medical attention to ensure food safety.
