Clams aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. The texture and flavour can be off-putting for some, but if that doesn’t stop you, you are looking at some amazing health benefits.
Clams are part of the mollusks family, along with approximately a quarter of marine organisms. More specifically they are a saltwater bivalve. This family also includes oysters, cockles, mussels, and scallops. Their compressed bodies nestle in a hinged, two-part shell.
Clams is also a good source of riboflavin, niacin, potassium, zinc, iron, protein, phosphorus, copper, manganese, selenium, and vitamin C. They are also incredibly high in vitamin B12.
There is more iron in clams than in beef. In fact, clams are one of the best sources of iron. This is great because they’re also rich in protein and vitamin B12. They’re a great meat of the sea, heavy in all of the nutrients you want in your meat. These nutrients, along with its impressive amino acid profile, make clams great for muscle growth and tissue repair.
Iron is used in the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells. It also plays a role in metabolizing protein. Iron deficiency can lead to many negative side effects including:
- Anemia
- Changes in appetite
- Chronic fatigue/ low energy
- Cough
- Difficulty concentrating, learning, and remembering
- Hormone imbalance
- Irregular heartbeat
- Mood swings
- Muscle weakness
- Pale or yellowing skin
- Shortness of breath
- Sores on mouth and tongue
- Trouble exercising
- Trouble sleeping
- Weight change
In general women need more iron than men. You may also need more iron if:
- You are a vegetarian or vegan/ not consuming many animal products
- You exercise a lot
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You’ve ever had kidney failure
- You’re receiving dialysis treatment
- You’ve had any ulcers
- You have gastrointestinal disorders that affect nutrient absorption
- You take large amounts of calcium
- You’ve recently lost any significant amount of blood
100g of clam meat contains more than 800% of your recommended daily value of vitamin B12. Getting this rich source of this important vitamin can help keep you clear of becoming vitamin B12 deficient. B12 deficiency has been linked to anxiety and depression.
Vitamin B12 is important for:
- It improves red blood cell formation, which is important for energy and heart health.
- It’s an important part of the cellular function, which keeps your body functioning.
- It supports the brain and nervous system.
- Making DNA
Clams are also higher in omega-3 than omega-6, which is good because most foods are reversed, causing an unhealthy imbalance. This imbalance causes inflammation and can lead to many serious diseases. Omega-3 is also very important for the brain and cognitive function.
Clams are also a good source of selenium. Selenium works as an antioxidant mineral that fights free radical damage. This can help prevent wrinkle formation and improve skin health. That’s right, clams can help you look younger!
Clams are an impressively healthy meat of the sea to add into your diet. They can help build muscle, maintain healthy blood levels, support the nervous system, and keep you looking young. So go ahead and cook yourself some clams for dinner, and enjoy knowing that you’re eating to your good health!
