Mercury (Hg) is a pervasive environmental contaminant with high bioavailability and toxicity, accumulating in aquatic food chains and posing significant risks to human health through seafood consumption. This systematic review aims to collect evidence on Hg bioaccumulation in seafood across Europe, assessing species that exceed legal limits. A total of 74 studies were identified on bioaccumulation among marine fish and seafood from European and adjacent seas, published between 2000 and 2024. Findings highlight that methylmercury (MeHg) constitutes the majority of total Hg in fish species, with concentrations often exceeding EU regulatory limits, especially in the Adriatic and Iberian areas. In general, teleosts exhibit higher tissue concentrations of both MeHg and total Hg compared to either selachians or mollusks. Species likely to exceed their legal limits are larger, apex predators, e.g., tuna, swordfish, and sharks, as well as benthic species, e.g., monkfish and mullet. In recent years, there has been a decrease in mercury contamination, probably due to agreed international regulations. However, significant regional variations still persist in Europe. To mitigate Hg contamination in seafood and ensure food safety, this study highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and management strategies, the interplay of environmental factors, food web dynamics, and species-specific biological characteristics.

Social media can have a profound impact on population health and should be considered an important determinant of health. No published studies have assesse

Background/Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests the critical role of diet in shaping mental health outcomes, which are increasingly prevalent among children and adolescents worldwide. This study aims to investigate whether the dietary habits of children in the Italian multicenter Piccolipiù birth cohort at four years of age were associated with anxiety and depression symptoms. This analysis was conducted within the framework of the Global burden of disease Lifestyle And mental Disorder (GLAD) Project (DERR2-10.2196/65576). Methods: Data from 1726 children were analyzed. Emotional symptoms were assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and diet was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Sociodemographic data, including per capita income, were also collected. Associations between food intake (grams per day) and clinical anxiety/depression (T-scores > 70) or total symptom scores were examined using univariate and multivariable logistic and robust linear regressions adjusted for sex and income. Results: In 1726 children (median age 4.4 years; 50% female), 3% exhibited clinical anxiety and 2% clinical depression. Higher grain intake was associated with increased odds of clinical anxiety (OR = 1.004; 95% CI: 1.001–1.007), while greater fish consumption reduced odds of clinical depression (OR = 0.946; 95% CI: 0.903–0.992). Vegetable intake was associated with lower anxiety and depression scores. Multivariable analyses confirmed that grain intake is positively associated with anxiety, while fish consumption is inversely associated with depression. Conclusions: Higher intake of vegetables, fruits, and fish may be associated with better emotional health in preschoolers, although effect sizes were modest. Early dietary interventions may offer a practical approach to improving children’s long-term mental health. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations and clarify underlying mechanisms.

Background/Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests the critical role of diet in shaping mental health outcomes, which are increasingly prevalent among children and adolescents worldwide. This study aims to investigate whether the dietary habits of children in the Italian multicentre Piccolipiù birth cohort at four years of age are associated with anxiety and depression symptoms. This analysis was conducted within the framework of the Global Burden of Disease Lifestyle and Mental Disorders (GLAD) Project. Methods: Data from 1726 children were analyzed. Emotional symptoms were assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and diet was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Sociodemographic data, including per capita income, were also collected. Associations between food intake and clinical anxiety/depression (T-scores >70) or total symptom scores were examined using univariate and multivariable logistic and robust linear regressions adjusted for sex and income. Results: In 1726 children (median age 4.4 years; 50% female), 3% exhibited clinical anxiety and 2% clinical depression. Higher grain intake was associated with increased odds of clinical anxiety (OR=1.004; 95% CI: 1.001-1.007), while greater fish consumption reduced odds of clinical depression (OR=0.946; 95% CI: 0.903-0.992). Vegetable intake was linked to lower anxiety and depression scores. Multivariable analysis confirmed the association between grains and anxiety and fish and depression. Conclusions: Higher intake of vegetables, fruits, and fish is associated with better emotional health in preschoolers, although effect sizes were modest. Early dietary interventions may offer a practical approach to improving children’s long-term mental health. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations and clarify underlying mechanisms.