Did you ever try out the wholesome and delicious seafood called mussels? If you haven’t, then you should try it out right away! Because the nutrients it has are extremely beneficial to your health.
Want to know more about this wonder food and the vast range of health benefits it offers? Then go ahead with your read!
Mussels belong to the family of clams and molluscs from saltwater and freshwater habitats. There are mostly two types of mussels – blue mussels and green lipped mussels. Unlike other edible clams, mussels have an elongated and asymmetrical shape. Most of them have shells that are generally rounded or oval. Their shells have subdued colours ranging in hues of blue, brown, gray and black while the interior is silvery. Their bodies are soft and spongy with a pale appearance and constitute the edible portion. They have a gritty and chewy taste.
There are different species of mussels that live either in fresh water or saltwater. They are mostly found in the shallow coastal areas of oceans or near the edges of ponds and lakes. Fresh water mussels are generally not eaten as they produce water pearls. Mussels can be eaten baked, smoked, fried, broiled and steamed and are a popular fast food item in the European and Pacific countries. Mussels are mostly grown in farms for commercial use, but they may be harvested in the wild.
Mussels can be cooked with or without shells and have been declared the best seafood by the Monterey Bay Aquarium as the method of farming them is environment-friendly. They are also a nutrient dense food. Their various health benefits can be attributed to their nutritional value given below. Their nutritional profile comprises of vitamin A, B-vitamins like folate and B12, minerals like phosphorus, zinc and manganese as well as omega-3 fatty acids.
*This is chart is based on information provided by:
A 3 oz. serving of cooked blue mussels contains 146 calories, 4 grams fat, 6 grams carbohydrates, 48 mg cholesterol and 314 mg sodium. Since mussels are cooked in saltwater, they contain a higher amount of sodium than other varieties of shellfish.
Mussels are a rich source of protein with a cup serving providing 18 grams of protein, which is equivalent to nearly 30% of the recommended daily value for an average adult. Dietary protein is an important source of amino acids required by your body to make proteins.
These clams are also a good source of vitamin A. A cup serving of mussels contains 240 international units of vitamin A contributing to 10% and 8% of the recommended intake for women and men respectively.
Mussels possess abundant amount of selenium. A cup serving of mussels provides 67.2 micrograms selenium which is more than the recommended daily intake of 55 micrograms for adult men and women.
Mussels are an excellent source of vitamin B12. A 3 oz. serving of cooked mussel meat provides 20.4 micrograms that are equivalent to a whopping 340% of the recommended daily intake of this vitamin.
Now that you got to know of what mussels are and what nutrients they contain, let’s go ahead and get to know of the amazing health benefits mussels can offer!
Being low in total and saturated fat but high in omega-3 fatty acids, mussels contribute to a healthy heart. According to a research conducted by the American Heart Association, the omega-3 fatty acids, particularly those present in fish and shellfish, possess cardio-protective benefits. These heart- healthy unsaturated fatty acids lower the risk of developing abnormal heartbeats, as well as triglyceride and fat levels in the bloodstream, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack or sudden death due to heart disease.
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