Heavy metals in raw, fried and grilled Mediterranean finfish and shellfish

► Trace elements concentrations in small Mediterranean seafood followed the pattern: fried > grilled > raw. ► Fish length and weight were inversely associated with water loss - oil uptake. ► The increased metal content of cooked seafood was mainly due to water loss. ► Cooked Mediterranean seafood provide significant amounts of the essential metals Zn and Fe. ► Cooked Mediterranean seafood do not pose health risk related to Cd, Hg and Pb.