The Surprising Health Benefits of Mussels You Need to Know

The delectable shellfish is a priceless gem for all the health benefits it provides. With their multiple health advantages, mussels have been consumed for thousands of years in coastal nations all over the world. Mussels are the ideal complement to your spicily flavored seafood broth or pasta since they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and many other vital minerals. In this post, we will look at the many health benefits of mussels as well as some advice on how to prepare them.

What Are Mussels?

Mussels are members of the mollusk family that can be found in both freshwater and saltwater environments. Blue mussels and green-lipped mussels are the two main varieties of mussels. Mussels are an elongated, asymmetrical variety of edible clams. The majority of them have spherical or oval-shaped shells. While the interior is silvery, their shells have muted colors that include shades of blue, brown, grey, and black. Their bodies, which are soft and spongy and appear pale, are what can be eaten. They taste chewy and grittier than usual.

Numerous mussel species may survive in saltwater or freshwater. They are typically found in shallow oceanic coastal locations or close to pond and lake borders. Because they generate water pearls, freshwater mussels are often not eaten. Throughout Europe and the Pacific, mussels are a common fast food item and can be prepared in a variety of ways, including baking, smoking, frying, grilling, and steaming. Mussels can be taken from the wild but are mostly raised for commercial purposes on farms.

Mussels Nutrition Facts

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has named mussels the greatest seafood because of their environmentally friendly agricultural practices and the fact that they may be prepared with or without their shells. They contain a lot of nutrients. Their nutritional content, which is listed below, can be ascribed to their different health advantages. They have omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, B vitamins like folate and B12, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese in their nutritional profile.

Below is more information regarding the health advantages of mussels. Comparison of Blue Mussel, T-Bone Steak, Chicken, and Turkey Nutritional Values per 100gm:

NUTRIENTS	BLUE MUSSEL	T-BONE STEAK	CHICKEN	TURKEY
Calories	172 kcal	160 kcal	285 kcal	203 kcal
Protein	23.8 g	22.1 g	26.9 g	27.4 g
Fat	4.48 g	7.27 g	18.9 g	10.4 g
Carbohydrates	7.39 g	0 g	0 g	0 g
Cholesterol	56 mg	59 mg	79 mg	93 mg
Calcium	33 mg	21 mg	13 mg	28 mg
Magnesium	37 mg	11 mg	20 mg	30 mg
Phosphorous	285 mg	196 mg	180 mg	254 mg
Potassium	268 mg	263 mg	182 mg	294 mg
Iron	6.72 mg	1.65 mg	1.37 mg	1.52 mg
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated	1.21 g	0.374 g	4.23 g	2.92 g

This chart is based on information provided by:

Calories And Fat

Cooked blue mussels come in 3-ounce servings and include 146 calories, 4 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbs, 48 mg of cholesterol, and 314 mg of salt per serving. Mussels have a higher sodium content than other types of shellfish since they are boiled in salt water.

Protein

A cup portion of mussels has 18 grams of protein or close to 30% of the daily requirement for an average adult. Mussels are a rich source of protein. Dietary protein is a key source of the amino acids your body needs to create proteins.

A vitamin

Besides being a good source of vitamin A, these clams. Mussels provide 240 international units of vitamin A per cup, which equates to 10% and 8% of the daily allowances for men and women, respectively.

Selenium

Selenium is present in large quantities in mussels. More than the daily allowance of 55 micrograms for adult men and women, a cup of mussels contains 67.2 micrograms of selenium.

B12 vitamin

A great source of vitamin B12 is mussels. The amount of this vitamin in a 3 oz. a portion of cooked mussel meat is 20.4 micrograms or roughly 340% of the daily recommended allowance.
Having learned what mussels are and the nutrients they contain, let’s move on. and get to know the amazing health benefits mussels can offer!

Top 19 Benefits Of Mussels

Check out here some of the best Mussels benefits.

1. Healthy Heart

Mussels support heart health since they are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids and low in total and saturated fat. The omega-3 fatty acids, especially those found in fish and shellfish, have been shown by a study by the American Heart Association to have cardioprotective properties. These heart-healthy unsaturated fatty acids also reduce blood triglyceride and fat levels, which lowers the chance of developing irregular heartbeats and having a heart attack or sudden death from heart disease.

2. Treatment For Arthritis

According to studies, those who ate a lot of green-lipped mussels, like the Maori people of New Zealand, had decreased rates of arthritis. It has been discovered to be helpful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In this way, dried GLM extracts are especially useful.

3. Treatment For Joint Pains

The nutrients iron, betaine, and glycosaminoglycans like chondroitin sulfate are abundant in green mussels. It has been demonstrated that several of these chemicals help to reduce joint stiffness and discomfort.

4. Promotes Healthy Circulation

Consuming green-lipped mussels regularly may lower your risk of heart attack and other circulatory issues. They improve blood flow and reinforce artery walls to promote healthy circulation to the muscles and critical organs.

5. Dental And Bone Health

Due to the high mineral content of mussels, eating them may make teeth and bones stronger structurally and give the surrounding tissues the support they need. There isn’t enough research, though, to back up this health advantage.

6. Immune System Health

Consuming green-lipped mussels frequently may increase your resistance to bacterial and viral infection. They also hasten and enhance antibody production, which aids in wound healing.

7. A robust nervous system

Green-lipped mussels may enhance nerve cell functioning throughout the body and enhance cognitive abilities by activating the muscles, tissues, and organs. Further scientific study is necessary, though, to provide proof of mussels’ effects on the neural system.

8. May Boost Fertility

By raising the viscosity of the seminal fluid in males and the cervical mucus plug in women, green-lipped mussels are thought to improve fertility. There isn’t enough scientific data to back up this assertion, though.

9. May Help Prevent Anemia

A 100-gram meal of cooked green-lipped mussels provides more than 100% of the daily value for adults over 50, making them a superior source of iron. Iron, as we all know, is essential for the creation of red blood cells. It contributes to the development of the oxygen-carrying proteins myoglobin and hemoglobin. Anemia, breathlessness, and low energy levels can all be symptoms of iron deficiency.

10. Weight Control

Fresh mussel meat offers around 25% fewer calories and nearly the same amount of high-quality protein as red meat, but far less total fat and saturated fat. Hence, switching from red meat to mussel meat results in a low-calorie diet that offers benefits of weight management.

11. May Reduce Symptoms Of Asthma

The anti-inflammatory qualities of green-lipped mussels help ease asthma symptoms. According to a study, patients who received GLM extract had much less daytime wheezing.

Most Important Health Benefits Of Mussels

Mussels can be grilled, broiled, baked, smoked, steamed, or served with seafood. It is abundant in critical elements such as vitamins A and B, zinc, manganese, and phosphorus as well as omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients. Its numerous health advantages come from these minerals.

The most significant health advantages of mussels are listed below.

1. Strong Teeth And Bones

Are rich in minerals that facilitate the strengthening of bones and teeth.

2. Muscle Gain

A great source of protein and can help in muscle gain.

3. Prevent Anemia

Excellent sources of iron and may help prevent anemia.

4. Prevent Heart Diseases

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in saturated fats that reduce the chances of heart disease.

5. May Treat Arthritis

Helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and relieving joint pain.

6. Improve Blood Circulation

Facilitate healthy circulation of blood to the vital organs and strengthen the arterial walls.

Mussels include a variety of nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which support their positive health effects. They might reduce the chance of heart attacks, ease the symptoms of arthritis, promote bone and dental health, enhance blood circulation, and prevent anemia. Also, they might improve skin suppleness and slow down aging. When eating them, one should exercise caution because they can become contaminated with pathogens. Give them a dip in fresh water to avoid any adverse effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat mussels daily?

No. Mussels are a healthy food source, but they may potentially contain mercury, which could harm your health. Thus, limit your consumption of mussels to twice or three times a week.