There are lots of delicious and nutritious seafood that can be caught, cleaned, cooked and eaten! They could come with fins, tentacles, claws and clamps or with shells. Speaking of shells, shelled seafood are among the best sources of various nutrients needed by the human body. One of the most famous but one of the most rarely seen of them are scallops! 

Oysters and clams can be usually seen in restaurant menus, and they can also be your mom’s favorite viands at home. Meanwhile, scallops are served not as often as they are. While that is true, it does not lessen the value of these beautifully concealed shellfish! Actually, an article from Men’s Health lists scallops as one of the power foods that a person should be eating.

Why is it beneficial for your health? Here’s a list of some important nutrients they carry: 

[1] VITAMIN B12

Scallops contain Vitamin B12 which is good for brain health. Proper development of the nervous system is a result of making sure that you get the right and healthy amounts of B12. The possibility of acquiring any mental conditions like irregular mood shifts and Alzheimer’s disease can be lessened. 

Homocysteine is an amino acid in the blood which is connected to a large risk of mild mental damage. Because of Vitamin B12, its levels can be reduced by 30% as it improves how the brain works. 

This vitamin functions in the maintenance of hemoglobin found in red blood cells. That is highly important so that oxygen can be delivered to the brain without obstruction. If you eat scallops, you help yourself maintain and keep up the levels of Vitamin B12 in your body as this is one of its main components. This vitamin is also important because if you get them in extremely low levels, your nerves can be damaged. 

[2] POTASSIUM 

Scallops are rich in potassium which has a huge role in nourishing the heart and maintaining a healthy blood pressure level. Your blood vessels are able to relax when there’s enough amount of  potassium in what you eat. Circulation of blood happens more smoothly and freely. Possibilities of blood clotting are low; it’s the same with experiencing stroke.

Diseases and pain related to muscles are reduced with an adequate absorption of potassium. It is because relaxation and regular contraction are made possible. Reflexes become quick because potassium fuels the correspondence of the brain and muscles.

Potassium also helps in lowering stress and anxiety. Not only physically but also mentally, this mineral accomplishes a significant task. 

[3] SELENIUM

Antioxidants are helpful to the body. These compounds found in food work in preventing destruction of cells which is an effect of free radicals. Even if that’s the case, free radicals are important for the health too as they play a role in shielding the body from sickness.

Just like anything however, too much of these free radicals can be detrimental as well. Human activities that make them happen include drinking alcohol and smoking. Over sufficiency of free radicals leads to oxidative stress. This stress impairs healthy cells. Acquiring oxidative stress is dangerous for it is very much related to cancer and heart ailments. 

This is when antioxidants such as selenium are really essential. The right amount of selenium boosts a vigorous immune system. This antioxidant aids in lessening inflammation and in augmenting immunity. In thyroid function and metabolism, it also has an indispensable role. It is responsible in maintaining the good health and enough quantity of free radicals. Balancing and equalizing excess free radicals are among the roles of selenium. It also acts as a protection to cells.

[4] ZINC 

One of the components of a healthy immune system is zinc. A little amount of it can already give you tons of advantages. A vast range of vital biological processes include zinc as their chief element. 

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For growth and development, it is advantageous in many ways. They are good for children and women. Children who lack in zinc can experience growth restraints and higher chances of infection. Because pregnant women and mothers who had just given birth are sensitive and must be taken good care of since they might get vulnerable to diseases, they surely need extra zinc to be healthy and to keep their baby safe and healthy too. 

Zinc helps in guarding you and giving you resistance against various illnesses and disorders.  

In hormone secretion, it affects growth hormone metabolism. There are studies that have found a connection between insufficient zinc levels and low sperm quality. It is also associated with male infertility. 

In wound healing, zinc helps in preserving skin quality and composition. Serious wounds often happen if one has insufficient zinc metabolism and reduced serum zinc levels. It helps in the division of cells, which is the function responsible for creating new tissues. Producing new tissues happens in the cell division wherein zinc supports. 

As for the immune system, zinc is needed so that T cells can attack and kill cancerous cells--those that have been infected. 

There are numerous foods composed with some zinc amounts, but shellfish such as scallops are among the top sources with incredibly healthy zinc content.

HEALTHY SHELLFISH

Scallops do not just look good; they also provide tons of nutrients needed by the body. 4 of them are noted above, and even with that number, you’ve already been enlightened about the good things that you will actually obtain if you eat this shellfish. A fresh seafood that carries countless of nutrients, although rare and a bit expensive, is always worth the bite and worth the price!

AUTHOR BIO

Nicole Ann Pore believes that freshness of what people eat is always important not only because of the experience but also of its health implications. She writes about matters that revolve around fresh seafood and the market industry. Nicole is a daytime writer for Manettas Seafood Market Australia, an online and interactive seafood market allowing accessibility to the highest quality seafood from Australia and abroad.  | Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.