Mussels are some of the common seafood people eat today. A mollusk coming from saltwater and freshwater habitats, mussels have been used as food for decades. They are usually boiled, season with vinegar, cooked in garlic broth, or baked with cheese. The following are the health benefits of mussels, along with a sample recipe.
Health Benefits
Rebuilding Cells and Muscles with Protein
Seafooods like mussels are high in protein, a macronutrient the body needs to sustain life. Protein, one of the three macronutrients, with carbohydrate and fat as the other two kinds, is responsible for the growth and repair of cells and tissues. This means damaged cells and tissues will be reconstructed after damage from internal or external trauma. A case in point is the muscle tissue, in which protein repairs the muscles after damage from stress. This is the reason athletes like bodybuilders include high amounts of protein to their diet; their muscles grow larger and fuller after the repair made by protein.
Cellular Protection with Selenium
Another health benefit of eating mussels is the protection it gives to cells. Aside from protein, the cells and tissues are safeguarded from toxins and free radicals by selenium; as per San Francisco Gate, selenium also helps promote the function of the macronutrient. According to the publication selenium also gives the actions of selenoproteins, a class of enzymes that perform various functions like supporting muscle function, regulation of thyroid hormone levels, and facilitating spermatogenesis or sperm formation in men. Moreover, the Linus Pauling Institute, as per the publication, added that consuming a cup of muscle heightens selenium levels in the body by 67.2 micrograms, which is higher than the daily 55 microgram requirement in adult men and women.
Brain Health
Eating mussels also promotes the health and function of the nervous system, which includes the brain. According to Canadia Cove, mussels are rich in vitamin B, specifically vitamin B12, which also helps in the integrity of the blood cells. In terms of brain health, vitamin B promotes the functions of the central nervous system, which includes a person’s heart beat and respiration. Without the brain, the body will not be able to move and carry out its daily functions like eating and taking a bath, among others. Hence, for cellular protection, one may consider adding mussels to his diet.
Sample Recipe
One recipe that makes use of mussels as ingredients is Mussels with Garlic Butter. According to Epicurious, the ingredients are three-pounds mussels, ten tablespoons (one and one-fourth sticks) butter, three-fourth cup fine chopped shallots, six large garlic cloves (minced), four tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, two tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and one teaspoon grated lemon peel.
To prepare, as per the publication, the mussels are placed in heavy large oven. Next, they are covered and cooked over high heat for about five minutes until the mussels open and the pan shakes occasionally. Then, the mussels are transferred to a bowl and those that do not open are discarded. Afterwards, the bowl is tented with a foil. Once done, butter is melted in the same oven over medium-high heat. Then, the shallots and garlic are added and sautéed for about three minutes until tender. Then, three tablespoons of parsley, lemon peel, lemon juice, and reserved liquid are added and brought to boil. Next, the food is seasoned with pepper for taste. Finally, garlic butter is drizzled over mussels and one tablespoon of parsley is sprinkled.
Mussels are some of the nutritious food choices people have today, with their many health benefits. Thus, they can be added to various meal menus for different occasions for friends and families.
