You are so into seafood but for the sake of ‘healthy lifestyle’ you prefer to avoid it. Actually, nothing is wrong about consuming seafood as long as you know how to control yourself besides there are several types of seafood that is actually healthy for you to consume and scallops are one of the seafood that could do the trick. When it comes to seafood, the next thing that crosses your mind is the words like cholesterol, cardiovascular issues, blood pressure and so on but do you know that scallops are actually good for your cardiovascular? Perhaps it is the time for you to get to know more about this little food from the ocean.
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What is Scallops?
Scallops are indeed seafood in the form of mollusk with delicate flesh texture which is the opposite of the shell protected the flesh with Latin name Agropecten irradians . Why this mollusk called scallops is because of the texture of the shells which is really beautiful and scalloped. Scallops are categorized by the marine biologist to be bi-valve mollusk because they have two shells that are hinged in one end. Scallops are available in all part of the oceans so scallops are very popular worldwide from Americans to Japans. So, there are more than a hundred species of this seafood worldwide. However, now there are two types of scallops found in the marketplace, wild and farm. Wild scallops are harvested rightly from the oceans while farm scallops are harvested from the scallops’ farm managed by scallops farmer.
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Nutritional Values of Scallops” state=”closed
| Scallops – Steamed
Serving Size: 100 grams |
 |
| Generals | Value – DV% |
| Protein | 23.29 grams – 47% |
| Carbohydrate | 6 grams – 3% |
| Total Fat | 0.95 grams |
| Calories | 125.87 – 7% |
| Water | 79.66 grams |
| Cholesterol | 46.49 grams |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.01 mg – 1% |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.03 mg – 2% |
| Vitamin B3 | 1.22 mg – 8% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.13 mg – 8% |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.44 mcg – 102% |
| Choline | 125 mg – 30% |
| Folate | 22.68 mcg – 6% |
| Pantothenic Acid | 0.42 mg – 8% |
| Vitamin A | 5.67 IU |
| Vitamin D | 2.27 IU – 1% |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium | 11.34 mg – 1% |
| Copper | 0.04 mg – 4% |
| Iodine | 135 mcg – 90% |
| Iron | 0.66 mg – 4% |
| Magnesium | 41.96 mg – 10% |
| Manganese | 0.03 mg – 2% |
| Phosphorus | 483 mg – 69% |
| Potassium | 356 mg – 10% |
| Selenium | 24.61 mcg – 45% |
| Sodium | 756 mg – 50% |
| Zinc | 1.76 mg – 16% |
| Fatty Acids | |
| Omega 3 Fatty Acid | 0.22 grams – 9% |
| Omega 6 Fatty Acid | 0.03 grams |
As seafood, scallops are surprisingly in the category of low fat food which is so rich of vitamins and some minerals. Many studies have shown that some nutrients in scallops are actually good to maintain heart health and object the common knowledge that seafood is bad for heart. For the details, below is the list of health benefits of scallops that might surprise you and will change your opinion about seafood forever.
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Scallops Contain Important Nutrients for Cardiovascular Health
Surely you have known that seafood is always associated with heart problem. Well, below is the proof that the statement is not entirely true.
- Lowering the Homocysteine Level
Homocysteine is a chemical that is responsible to some conditions like heart diseases and heart attack. This chemical could damage blood vessels and closely associated with the spice of cholesterol level. Vitamin B12 found in scallops is enough to lower the level of homocysteine.
- Helping Lowering Blood Pressure
The combinations of Vitamin B12 and potassium found in scallops are able to lower the blood pressure. Potassium will assist in eliminating all the excess sodium in the blood stream which could cause the sudden spice of blood pressure while vitamin B12 will make sure the healthy blood vessels.
- Relaxing Blood Vessels
One of the amazing value of potassium is this compound could relax the blood vessels. Relaxed blood vessels affect the whole metabolism system because the vessels are where blood is circulated, oxygen is distributed.
- Improving Blood Circulation
The significant impact of having relaxed blood vessels is improved blood circulation. Normal blood circulation will make sure heart in its best condition and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke because heart is working in normal pace without pressure and brain will always get the stock of oxygen to prevent stroke.
- Increasing HRV or Heart Rate Variability
HRV or Heart Rate Variability is used to measure whether your cardiovascular system is working normally or not. The heart rate is the indicator whether your heart is in its best condition or it is actually working under pressure. Omega 3 fatty acids found in scallops are able to increase the HRV.
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- Reducing the Risk of Heart Attack
For years people believe that seafood is closely related to heart attack until they find out that scallops are able to reduce the risk of this silent killer. One of the main cause of heart attack is the increased level of leukotrienes that could damage blood vessels, omega 3 found in scallops are able to eliminate it and reduce the risk of heart attack.
- Preventing Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic stroke is a condition when brain is not getting enough oxygen. This condition could be fatal and even the survivor will come back incomplete due to some damages that probably occur in the nerve system. Some studies have shown significant relation between omega 3 fatty acid in reducing and preventing sichemic stroke.
- Protection Against Heart Arrhythmia
Heart arrhythmia is another heart condition that could be fatal. The symptoms are shown by the abnormal heart rhythms. However, there are some intensive studies have been conducted in order to find the solution and surprisingly the amount of omega 3 fatty acid in scallops are enough to provide protection against this condition.
- Reducing the Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Proper blood clots are essential but because of some factors, sometimes blood clots occur in the wrong place like deep vein thrombosis that happened when blood clots accumulated in places like thighs and legs that could cause pain and swelling. The consumption of seafood rich of omega 3 fatty acid could reduce the risk.
- Balancing Cholesterol Level
High cholesterol level in your blood is not something you could take for granted because LDL cholesterol is the main contribution of the blood clot development in the artery. Omega 3 fatty acid could reduce the production of LDL and at the same time promotes the production of HDL or good cholesterol.
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Scallops are the Important Source of Omega 3 Fatty Acid
It is no secret that seafood is rich of omega 3 fatty acid but scallops are one of the seafood which amount of omega 3 fatty acid is relatively high and able to fulfill the daily intake of this fatty acid.
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- Protection Against Childhood Asthma
Some studies have been conducted in order to find solution to deal with childhood asthma and surprisingly children who are taking diet with omega 3 fatty acids and magnesium regularly will be protected from this condition.
- Reducing the Risk of Colorectal Cancer
The combinations of omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin B12 could produce a certain chemical that will protect the cells from being mutated as free radicals effect.
- Destroying the Alzheimer’s Plaques
Beta-amyloid are plaques who according to some studies are the roots of Alzheimer. However, more studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acids are really effective in destroying the accumulation of these plaques.
- Helping Lowering the Risk of Age-related Cognitive Decline
It is true that you cannot stop yourself from getting old but you can slow down or prevent all the conditions that may cause some declines in your senior age like age-related cognitive decline. Consuming foods that are rich of omega 3 fatty acids are one of the delicious solution and scallops are rich of this fatty acid.
- Improving Mood
Though there are a lot of factors that could affect your mood but consuming scallops have been proven to be able in improving your mood. So, whenever you feel down, perhaps adding scallops to your diet sounds like a good idea.
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- Natural Solution to Depression
Depression is a serious condition and the root of the problem is when the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines is increased. Patients who are consuming foods rich of omega 6 fatty acids and omega 3 fatty acids regularly are proven to be able to control the level of the chemical in normal stage.
- Optimizing Growth and Development
In children who are currently in development stage, consuming foods rich of nutrients that could optimize their growth and development is highly recommended. Omega 3 fatty acids have prominent role in optimizing growth and development in children.
- Protection Against Arthritis
Sometimes people just don’t know how to deal with this condition. Before it is too late, why don’t you put scallops to your diet because nutrients found in delicious mollusk could provide protection against arthritis effectively?
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Scallops also Contain Some Excellent Amount of Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamin B12 is surprisingly found in scallops in relatively high amount as well as minerals like potassium and magnesium. Vitamin B12 is so vital for heart health, just like potassium. However, there is more health benefits of scallops that you should know as below.
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- Prevention Against Insomnia
Insomnia is a condition when someone is suffering from iron deficiency. There are a lot of medications you could consume but most of them are only easing up the symptoms and not dealing with the root of the problem. For iron deficiency, what you need to do is consuming food rich of iron and scallops are one of the foods on the top of the list.
- Preventing Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Unlike iron deficiency, people are not really familiar with vitamin 12 deficiency. However, this condition could cause serious problems like heart failure, cholesterol, stroke, diabetes and many more. Surprisingly, scallops contain high amount of vitamin B12 to fulfill your daily intake.
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- Promoting the Production of Red Blood Cells
The combinations of iron and zinc found in scallops are powerful compounds that will promote the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells are required in all aspects of the body from metabolism process up to oxygen distribution.
- Excellent Booster for Brain
When you feel unlike yourself because you cannot think clearly and hard to focus, the problem is in the brain. The lack of oxygen in the brain could cause those things and consuming food rich of iron, minerals and omega 3 could boost your brain performance.
- Improving Neurological Function
Most people don’t realize that maintaining their neurological function is as important as keeping their heart healthy. However, people just don’t know what they should do or what they should eat. Neurological function will function properly when brain is getting enough oxygen and omega 3 fatty acid.
- Weight Loss Solution
One amazing thing about scallops are, this mollusk are so low in calories and fats, so it is safe to be consumed by those who are currently in weight loss program. However, the way you cook is also important, just boiled and grilled the scallops to make sure there is no additional calories and fats from the oil.
- Maintaining Muscle Mass
Foods that are rich of minerals like zinc and magnesium are excellent solution to maintain the muscle mass. Scallops are low in fats so it is perfect food for healthy and lean muscle mass.
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- Preventing Excess Caloric Intake
Excess caloric intake could lead to condition like obesity and excessive weight gain. Scallops are low fat and calories, so consuming them would not cause weight gain.
- Preventing Bad Effect of Free Radicals
Free radicals are not easy to fight but it is not impossible as well. Antioxidants and foods that are rich of minerals and omega 3 fatty acids are excellent solution t prevent bad effect of free radicals.
- Maintaining Immune Function
Zinc found scallops have prominent function in maintaining the immune function, so your body will be fully protected because your immunity system functions optimally.
- Accelerating Wound Healing
Don’t mistaken, medications you apply to your wound is not going to heal the wound, they are only provide protection from further infection. However, scallops contain some nutrients that will help you accelerating the wound healing from the inside.
- Balancing Hormones
Most people don’t realize that hormones imbalance is also able to cause some health problems. Minerals found in scallops are basic nutrients required to balance hormones and prevent some deficiencies.
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- Repairing Damaged Muscle Tissue
After an intensive workout, sometimes you feel sore and this condition caused by some damaged muscle tissue. Well, scallops are rich of omega 3 fatty acid and some amino acids that are essential compound to repair the damaged muscle tissue.
- Friendly Food for Diabetic Patients
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you must have known how hard to find food that suits your taste. Seafood are off limit for diabetic patients but scallops are one of the seafood that are relatively safe to consume even by diabetic patients, as long as you consume it in moderate or proper amount only.
- Promoting the Cells Regeneration
Do you know how much body cell every day? Well, probably billions that’s why new cells regenerations are important. Scallops contain some nutrients that promote the new cells regeneration and eliminate all factors that disturb the process.
- Excellent Energy Booster
What you really need to boost your energy is not much and as long as all your body is optimally oxygenated and then your metabolism will work optimally to provide you the energy you need. Since scallops are able to optimize the oxygen distribution throughout the body, this food is perfect energy booster.
- Reducing Muscle Tension
Got problems with muscle tension? Well, this condition could get back to normal by itself but sometimes it took weeks. Just eat scallops that are rich of magnesium could help you soothing the tensed muscle effectively in relatively shorter time.
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Words of Cautions
When you find out that scallops are one of the seafood that is actually good for your heart and then without even think twice, you put it to your daily diet. Actually, there are some words of caution you should aware as well about scallops.
- If you are sensitive to purine and then it is better to avoid scallops or consume it only in moderate amount.
- Those who have problems with kidney stone is highly recommended to avoid scallops in all cost because purine found in scallops will only make the condition worse.
- The texture of scallops is not really friendly with your digestive tract, that’s why combining scallops with a lot of vegetables to provide fiber to your intestine is highly recommended.
- Though scallops are packed with nutrients that are good for cardiovascular health but scallops are also high in sodium. So, for those who have blood pressure problem should consume scallops in moderate amount only, just to be in the safe side.
- You should aware that there is no seafood free from cholesterol content and scallops are no exception. If your cholesterol level is currently in high level is better to avoid scallops and only consume it in proper amount.
- Just like any other seafood, you have to really careful in choosing the scallops product to avoid mercury contamination.
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Scallops have been proven to be packed with nutrients that are actually good for human health. Unfortunately, it is not everything because the way you cook and the way you serve scallops will affects the nutrients contained. Scallops are low-fat seafood, health benefits of scallops, so you are recommended to cook them in low-fat method as well like grilling, boiling and steaming with less oil. One thing to note, don’t overcook the scallops because it only makes the texture become fibrous, tough and hard to digest.