The world ocean stores millions of secrets. The uniqueness of the flora and fauna of the sea depths is an endless source of knowledge for man. One of the mysterious, useful and unique inhabitants of the underwater kingdom - mussels.
A bit of history
To name the exact period when a person first enjoyed delicate sea delicacy - surely no one will say. But the demand for delicious meat of mussels increased the appetite of gourmets and connoisseurs of sea delicacies and, as a result, the "mussel farms" got a qualitative development. And here, "grow" mussels, for the first time Ireland is trying in the 19th century. Today, this fishery has gained worldwide popularity and mussels are bred in artificial conditions in France, Belgium, northern Russia, the Black Sea and Far Eastern shores.
Description: Mussels
Bivalve mollusk. The shape is oval-wedge-shaped, the length is usually twenty centimeters, smooth to the touch. Exterior color from yellow-green to violet, from the inside the shell is pearly. Features of living - the sea and river open spaces. Form huge settlements on rocks, breakwaters, and also on the bottom in algae. By right they are called "sanitarians of the sea", and do not harm themselves. The viability of the mussels is quite persistent, for spawning, one female throws out up to twenty million eggs, where larvae appear literally in a day. Life expectancy varies from subspecies - Pacific mussels live about 30 years, in northern latitudes - 12, on the Black Sea coasts - 6.
Meat of sea mussels is used for food, river water is used only for pearls. The smell of mussels is strong, marine. You can buy shells only with closed doors, which must open when boiling. In the finished form, the structure of the meat is rather dense.
Ingredients and calorie content of mussels
Nutritional value 100 gr - 77 kcal
- 11, 5 g - proteins;
- 2g - fats;
- 3, 3 g - carbohydrates;
- 82 g - water;
- ash - 1, 6 g;
- cholesterol - 40 g;
- 0,4 g - fatty acids;
- 18 μg vitamin E;
- 2, 5 μg is a carotenoid;
- 1, 5 mg - minerals
Energy balance as a percentage of 60 - 23 - 17( b - f - y).
Mussels are a high-quality protein, saturated with phosphatides and arachidonic acid. The composition of fat includes 20 polyunsaturated fatty amino acids. In addition, it includes the following components: selenium, iodine, zinc, iron, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, cobalt. According to the level of cobalt, mussels exceed ten times the chicken, pork and even beef liver. The richness of the meat of this mollusc is invaluable by the impressive composition of vitamins: group B( B1, B2, B6, B12), and also A, D, C, E, PP.
The use of mussels
What are the useful mussels? In the course of testing, scientists have proved their undoubted benefits, namely:
- Frequent consumption of marine shellfish, effectively reduces the risk of oncology. Due to the stimulation of blood circulation, being an instrument that activates the processes of excretion of decomposition products, toxins and toxins, the meat of mussels is a serious preventative of arthritis.
- It is recommended to enrich your diet for people with poor eyesight. Specialists-ophthalmologists noted the benefits of this product in improving visual acuity.
- Antioxidants of natural origin, control processes in tissues, remove free radicals, slow down the oxidation of cells, which prolong the youth of the body. Benefit? Undoubtedly. After all, the utility factor of mussel substances stimulates the processes of hematopoiesis and increases the overall tone in the body.
- It is recommended to eat meat mussels to the population living in the radioactive zone, people who work in harmful to health production.
- Benefits and in the nutritional value of sea delicacy is one of the strongest natural stimulants, helping to restore the body after a long illness, physical exertion and mental overwork.
- There is a rejuvenating effect on the body as a whole.
- Contained in mussels cobalt, is responsible for the course of metabolic processes, controls the endocrine system, participates in the synthesis of carbohydrates and fats. Questions with the gastrointestinal tract are taken by vitamin D, which has a positive effect on the digestive system.
- The anti-inflammatory qualities of the composition of mussel meat, at the cellular level, are reflected in the psychosomatic processes in the body, positively affect the function of the thyroid gland, helping to combat nervous disorders - depression, depressed mood and apathy.
- Meat mussels are valuable in the glycogen content, the enzymes of which improve the digestive processes, which fundamentally affect the metabolic processes in the body, which helps regulate body weight. The advantage is that it is a dietary, high-calorie, easily digestible protein.
The advice of nutritionists who want to keep youth and figure for a long time - more often include in the diet this marine product. It should be noted that mussels can replace meat and fish, if there is a significant need or intolerance of any protein products.
On the liver have a positive effect of phosphatides, reducing thrombosis. Preventing the development of cardiovascular diseases: heart attack, stroke, ischemia, atherosclerosis. The properties of polyunsaturated substances are essential prophylaxis, improving the processes of brain activity and preventing the development of many pathologies, in particular, Alzheimer's syndrome.
A complex of useful elements that enters into all organs of the mollusc - normalizes the energy responses of the body. The most important of these is vitamin B12.Its absence or significant shortage leads to irreversible nervous disorders, which is often threatened by supporters of vegetarian cuisine who refuse to eat animal products. Drinking within the norm, meat of mussels, allows to normalize the shortage of a valuable element and to fill a significant gap in the structure of the immunity base.
Vitamin C - helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, improving blood flow.
To normalize metabolism and strengthen bones, the manganese, included in the delicacy, will help. The daily dose needed for a person can be obtained from just one serving of a dish of mussels.
Mussel lovers can avoid such a serious disease as iron deficiency anemia, due to a sufficient amount of iron in molluscs.
To improve the structure of hair and avoid dandruff, the selenium contained in mussels will help, certain carcinogens are neutralized under its influence, thereby protecting the body from the formation of malignant tumors.
Specialists argue that the utility of mussels for men is quite significant. Mussels are a real natural aphrodisiac.
Harm
Of all the above utilities, mussels also have cons.
- Saxitoxin is a drop of tar in a barrel of vitamins, the chemical composition of mussel meat. This is a special element, which is formed from the accumulation of harmful debris that got into the mussels in the process of water filtration. It is possible to significantly reduce the harm, provided that the mussels live in running water. The stronger the course, the less saxitoxin is retained in the sink. This factor should be considered when buying mussels in stores. When the shellfish is grown on special farms - the flow of water is much lower than in the open sea. Avoid the purchase of dangerous mussels will help the correct choice of the country where they were raised. It can be noted positively that Turkey and Japan base their mussel farms directly in the sea, growing mollusks in specialized banks, thus significantly reducing the possible harm. Negative counterweight is Korea and China, where such farms are mostly closed.
- The marine habitat of mussels has its negative aspect - the content of sand in the body of the shell. By analogy, this sand is like the pearls of oysters. The composition is strong enough particles, not infrequently leading to damage to tooth enamel. To remove sand before delivery on sale it is impossible - as it is very deep in fabrics. But, this phenomenon is not so common, that would be talking about serious harm to the body.
- The main contraindication to the use of mussels to people who are prone to allergic reactions. Extreme hobby can lead to disruption of the digestive system - an abundance of protein mass contributes to the deterioration of the stomach.
- It should be remembered that mussels can collect poisonous algae from the day of the sea, which grow in tissues, are harmful to the human body, eventually lead to paralytic reactions. You can avoid this by selecting a quality delicatessen manufacturer.
An interesting fact
The world's only "mussel exchange" is located on the territory of Belgium, in a small village of Ersek, in the summer of each year when Mosseldag is celebrated - the Day of the Mussels. Overcrowded restaurants do not accommodate the flow of connoisseurs of mussels and those who want to enjoy seafood delicacy are forced to settle directly on the pier, under the awnings at the long tables.
To avoid the development of poaching, it is not recommended to purchase mussels from the hands, it is better to buy them in packages grown on special farms. Thus supporting the natural balance of the ecosystem of the world's oceans. Seafood is an invaluable benefit to the life of a person, but one should never forget that everything is useful in moderation.
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