Should I Eat Shellfish?

The short answer is yes, shellfish can be a healthy addition to your diet as long as you’re not one of the nearly 7 million Americans who are allergic. Among people with an allergy, crustaceans tend to cause the worst reactions. You may be able to tolerate mollusks, but you should ask your doctor first.

Mollusks and crustaceans provide a lot of nutrients, including:

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Good fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats)
• Numerous minerals like zinc, copper, iron, and magnesium
• Protein

These foods tend to be low in mercury, low in fat, and low in cholesterol. Even shrimp, which was once thought to be high in cholesterol, isn’t out of bounds. It is higher in cholesterol and sodium than other types of shellfish, but it doesn’t have unhealthy amounts. Oysters have a high mineral content, along with low-fat, cholesterol, and sodium, making them one of the best options.

All these great nutrients add up to big benefits for your body, including lower risk of heart disease, a boost in brain development, and higher levels of good cholesterol.

From our hometown Health Care Gurus, UPMC