Health: Mussels and their 3 Nutritional Benefits

Health: Mussels and their 3 Nutritional Benefits

Mussels

Mussel is the regular name used for members of several families of bivalve molluscs, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. These groups have in common a shell whose outside is elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams or similar seafood, which are often more or less rounded or oval.

The word “mussel” is frequently used to mean the bivalves of the marine family Mytilidae, most of which live on exposed shores in the intertidal zone, attached by means of their strong byssal threads (“beard”) to a firm substrate.

Over in Ghana, West Africa. Mussels can be found along the shore. and most shoreside residents gather them as a source of food whenever there are low tides. Mussels can also be found sold pretty commonly in the local markets. They are sold already taken out of the shell and separated into clear bags.

Part of the reason for this article today is to shed some light on the health benefits mussels provide to the human body. Hopefully, this might give some curious souls the motivation to actually try it out. You may or may not like it. But it won’t hurt to try something new.

Health Benefits

• High-Quality Protein
  • Mussels and most other shellfish are excellent sources of protein, containing all the essential amino acids. Their protein content is superior to that found in fish with fins. The protein in mussels is easy to digest, so the body gets the full benefit.
• Weight Loss
  • If you are trying to lose weight, they give you a lot of nutrition without the excess calories. Mussels can be prepared with no-calorie seasoning. ensuring you get the correct amount of nutrition minus the extra weight.

• Anemia Prevention
  • This seafood is an excellent source of iron. One three-ounce serving provides the equivalent of one-third of the daily value of iron. Iron prevents the most common form of anemia, which can cause fatigue and weakness. They are also rich in vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is responsible for the production of red blood cells. This could also be a remedy for pregnant women with low iron.

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Health Risks

• Shellfish poisoning
  • Eating shellfish during a red tide can cause shellfish Poisoning. Gastrointestinal distress occurs first. Muscle paralysis may follow. If the person has eaten an excessive amount, coma and death could follow. It is unlikely for an individual to get shellfish poisoning from commercial shellfish
• Mercury Content
  • Quite a few people avoid eating shellfish because they are worried about mercury content. While it’s true that most fish and shellfish contain mercury, eating up to 12 ounces a week should not be hazardous to your health. Large fishes Swordfish accumulate lots of mercury content. so one must avoid eating them in large quantities. This applies even more for pregnant women

Cooking Tips

• Generally, mussels are pretty salty when you buy them. So we normally soak them in cold water for the salt to dilute a bit.
• Wash them properly before cooking to avoid eating sand. Soaking also helps
• Let seafood simmer in Stew / Soup (whatever you’re cooking ) before adding salt. – remember they are really salty

Facts

• over 3,000 tonnes of mussels are produced in Australia every year.

• Mussels are a clean and nutritious source of protein, as well as a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and folate, and they exceed the recommended daily intake of selenium, iodine and iron.

• Mussels are sustainably farmed with no negative impact on the environment.

We hope you enjoyed this brief article and you learned something new. Maybe next time you could substitute the meat in your meals for some seafood.

orokinbae Member since August 9, 2022

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