Why are cockles good for you

So seafood is unlikely to have a major impact on your blood cholesterol levels. The NHS advises against eating raw shellfish and raw seafood during pregnancy.

Try to eat fresh seafood, as frozen products may contain more sodium — and we already consume twice as much as the recommended 6g a day. Here, Alice Smellie and nutritional therapist Jackie Lynch of the website well-well-well. Smoked salmon and gravadlax. Very high levels of Omega three. A recent study has shown that marine Omega-3 can help protect the eyesight of those suffering from age-related macular degeneration - which causes blurred and fuzzy vision.

Expert says: If possible, check the salt content of your smoked salmon - different brands will use different techniques. Salt content goes from 3g upwards - shop around if you have blood pressure concerns. Be aware that gravadlax is cured in salt which makes it extra high. Four slices around 85g will contain about twenty per cent of your daily sodium.

This ten-legged crustacean is high in protein and Omega Has trace elements of selenium and chromium as well as calcium, copper and excellent levels of zinc. Expert says: The high Omega-3 is really the best thing about crab. This fatty acid has anti-inflammatory properties so may be good for those with such conditions as arthritis, It also reduces blood pressure.

Selenium is a powerful antioxidant and trace mineral. It is found in all shellfish. Small amounts are beneficial. Crab is low in calories - only calories in g and saturated fat - which makes it good for the heart. Protein should constitute a quarter of your meal portion.

Restaurant portions - which tend to come in a little pot - are spot on. Eat alongside wholemeal bread and salad for a perfect balance. When to avoid: Only have as a occasional treat if you know you suffer from high cholesterol. A good source of protein. Also contains Omega-3, copper, zinc, B vitamins and iodine.

Expert says: Some foods contain copper and it is vital for the absorption, storage and metabolism of iron and the formation of red blood cells.

The high levels of B2 may help ease migraines and phosphorus helps calcium build bones and teeth. But avoid fried or battered versions. These are very bad for you and believed to increase the risk of some cancers.

Carbohydrates supply your body with energy for exercise, so if you are a competitive athlete, you may wish to eat a carbohydrate-rich side dish along with cockles. Cockles are low in fat, with just 0.

None of the fat in cockles is saturated fat, a type of fat that may increase your risk of heart disease. Some fat is beneficial for your health, as it helps your body absorb nutrients and can supply energy for extended exercise bouts. Nutrition Nutrition Basics Nutrition Facts. Brian Willett. So better not to exceed with the consumption of foods high in cholesterol, such as shellfish, and to remember that according to the Guidelines for the Prevention of Atherosclerosis of the Ministry of Health of the daily cholesterol intake should not exceed mg in the case of healthy adults and mg in the case of those who are already struggling with cardiovascular problems.

On the other hand, the consumption of cockles allows to supply the body with high quality protein and important minerals for the intracellular and extracellular metabolism especially magnesium , for the functioning of the thyroid and the formation of bones and muscles zinc and to avoid anemia iron. What are cockles? These effects can lead to oxidative damage and a range of potential adverse effects 5 , 6.

In a Spanish study analyzing the mercury levels of various mollusks, researchers looked at the mercury content across 40 samples of cockles. The mean mercury content was If we calculate the above values on a per-gram basis, cockles contained 0. A further study based out of Indonesia tested the mercury concentration of three different cockle species 9. Based on 45 samples, the mercury levels ranged from 0. This is equal to mcg per kilogram and 0.

For some comparative data, canned albacore tuna, king mackerel, and swordfish contain 0. Cockles are also an excellent source of protein, and this is particularly true when looking at the amount of protein per calorie. Since cockles only contain 79 calories per gram serving, this makes them very protein-dense on a per calorie basis.

The table below shows how cockles compare to some other protein sources based on raw weight and per calories. As we can see from the above values, cockles compare favorably to many other protein sources in the protein per calorie metric. Although cockles have potential drawbacks, they are generally applicable to all shellfish, and they are nothing unique to cockles. As with other shellfish species, one of the potential downsides of cockles is that they can potentially cause foodborne illness.

In this regard, cockles can harbor bacteria that can lead to infections such as hepatitis A, salmonella, and vibriosis 13 , 14 , 15 ,