Mussels: This Is How Healthy the Seafood Is

That’s why mussels are healthy

There are many healthy ingredients in mussels.

• The shellfish contain nutrients such as selenium and zinc. The vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, and E also contribute to a balanced diet.
• Also included are sodium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• They also contain a lot of iodine. This trace element is important for the function of your thyroid gland.
• Mussels are 80 percent water. They therefore only have 69 kilocalories per 100 grams.
• There are also very few carbohydrates. The proportion is just 2.4 grams per 100 grams.

Mussels: Not too many and not too cold

Consuming shellfish can also be harmful to your health under certain circumstances. However, you can neither see nor taste whether mussels are poisonous.

• Mussels absorb heavy metals and can also store natural toxins, such as those caused by algal blooms. There are 28 edible species of mussels. All of them can contain harmful substances. In higher concentrations, these lead to poisoning.
• In addition, mussels can also be contaminated with hepatitis A viruses. It is therefore important that you heat the seafood for a sufficient period before consumption. This kills the viruses.
• Symptoms that you may experience 15 to 30 minutes after consumption include gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, vomiting, heart problems, chills, or tingling lips. In all cases, call a doctor immediately.
• Short-term paralysis of the face or limbs is also possible. In rare cases, paralysis of the respiratory muscles occurs. This is life-threatening. Rapid medical help is also required here.
• If you have a nickel allergy, you should avoid eating mussels. Consumption could trigger an allergy flare because they contain nickel.

Quality control of the mussels in Germany

The mussels from the North Sea come from controlled breeding.

• Mussels from the North Sea pose practically no health risk because they are strictly monitored and tested by comprehensive EU legislation.
• The breeding areas have an early warning system for toxins from algae. The mussels are only released for sale and consumption after they have been checked for harmlessness. A health impairment is therefore excluded for you with these mussels.

How to recognize fresh seafood

Only live mussels smell like the sea and are fresh.

• The shell must be closed or only minimally open.
• Open specimens should be discarded immediately. Mussels that don’t open during cooking also belong in the trash.
• It is best to eat the seafood immediately. You shouldn’t store them in the fridge for more than a day.
• Don’t buy mussels if you can’t tell where they come from.
• The live mussels available from the North Sea are usually kept in fresh water for several weeks. Among other things, this will clean you of the sand.
• Nevertheless, before preparing the seafood, you need to thoroughly clean it under cold running water.