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The good, bad sides of eating shellfish

Joy Anyim

Do you enjoy eating shellfish? Do you always take out time to treat yourself and loved ones to a delicacy of shellfish? Then you need to be careful because, studies have shown that shellfish harbour organic chemicals that may be harmful to the body.

What are shellfish?

Shellfish are aquatic animals with shell or shell-like exterior. Shellfish have been eaten all over the world for centuries. They are rich in lean protein, healthy fats and minerals.

Shellfish are divided into two groups – Crustaceans and Mollusks. Crustaceans include – shrimp, crayfish, crab and lobster, while clans, scallops, oysters and mussels are examples of mollusks.

Most shellfish live in seawater, but the name also refers to species found in freshwater. They are mostly available in grocery stores, restaurants and in this part if the world, some persons sell them around beaches and swampy environments.

While some are steamed, baked or fried, some such as oysters and clams could be eaten raw or partially cooked. Their flavours also ranges from sweet to briny or subtle to delicate – depending on the type or cooking method.

Nutritional composition: Aside from being rich in lean protein, healthy fat, and minerals – omega 3 fatty acid, shellfish also have iron, zinc, magnesium and vitamin B12. All of these vitamins have very important roles they play in the body.

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Health Benefits: Some of the health benefits that come with eating shellfish are:

  1. Rich in immune boosting nutrients
  2. Help in weight loss
  3. Promote heart health
  4. Good for the brain
  5. Aid improved mental health
  6. Aid visual function
  7. Benefit clinical condition

Though very nutritious, the downside of eating shefish also calls for caution in how often one eats them. For example, it has been proven that there is heavy metal accumulation from the environment. Metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic,  are present in shellfish.

Excessive accumulation of such metal may affect the cardiovascular and central nervous system.

Food borne illnesses may also arise from eating shellfish. Allergic reaction may also set in. This may be because of the contaminants in shellfish. Hence, the need not to make it frequent meal choice.

Most shellfish contain detectable levels of contaminants because these are part of the environment and food chain. Shellfish and other seafood are a major cause of mercury in humans; and mercury is potentially toxic to the developing nervous system of the fetus and infant

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