Mollusks are nutrition’s and ecosystem’s best friends, there’s no doubt about it!
In our previous articles we focused a lot on the beneficial role shellfish play in reducing pollution and the environmental impact on our waters and coastlines.
What we’ve learned through our research is that mollusks act as natural filters for our waters and, as such, deserve our protection!
In addition to being environmentally friendly, mollusks are true allies for our health: in a healthy, balanced diet, they should be consumed regularly to enjoy all the benefits they offer.
Let us explain why.
How do mollusks meet humanity’s nutritional needs?
Mollusks are nutritious foods that fit well into most dietary patterns (especially those common in Mediterranean regions) but should be eaten in moderation in cases of high cholesterol or certain digestive conditions.
According to an article published by an Italian newspaper called La Repubblica: “Fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, shellfish and seaweed could reduce the number of people suffering from nutritional deficiencies by 166 million by 2030 and contribute to a drop in prices (-26%), making blue foods more accessible to those living in poverty.”
In short, the food crisis alarm – caused by a global population that’s too large for the current food supply— could be addressed by turning to the resources the sea has to offer.
This wouldn’t only help combat world hunger (in large part at least), but also improve the quality of our diets.
Compared to pork, beef, and poultry, blue foods contain higher amounts of vitamin A, calcium, iron and —most importantly— Omega-3 fatty acids, which is the essential ally for maintaining heart, eye and brain health.
Even a slight increase in the consumption of blue foods could lead to an 8% increase in calcium intake, 4% in iron and zinc, 186% in Omega-3s and 13% in vitamin B12.
According to these estimates, the entire global population could have access to twice the current amount of food by 2050: we just need to support mollusks aquaculture.
Fish-based diet
Fish-based diet, for many cultures, is nothing new. According to data from the World Health Organization, Japan ranks among the countries with the highest life expectancy in the world: 87 years for women and 80 years for men.
Beyond longevity, what stands out most is the excellent health of the Japanese population: statistical data suggests that many Japanese people spend much of their lives without needing doctors or hospitals.
Apparently, experts attribute much of this to their diet: the Japanese consume large amounts of low-cholesterol foods like seaweed and various types of fish, which help reduce risks of arteriosclerosis and stomach cancer.
Why follow a fish-based diet?
Supporting the benefits of the fish-based diet that the Japanese have followed for centuries is a recent study by Professor Ole G. Mouritsen from the University of Copenhagen. The study suggests that a future eco-friendly diet should be based on small fish, seaweed, and shellfish.
It seems that the seabed could offer us a largely untapped food resource, overlooked due to the focus on traditional fishing. This shift could genuinely reduce CO2 emissions.
The study especially highlights seaweed: widely used in some Eastern countries but still little known in the West, seaweed is an extremely sustainable food source for the environment, but only about 500 species out of 10.000 are currently consumed by humans.
The reason why we should increase fish and mollusks consumption in our diets is now very clear, attracting the attention of many research groups.
The key points are:
- The nutritional benefits for health
- The significant contribution to reducing environmental impact
“Mollusks are high-quality protein sources, just like land animals, meaning they contain all the essential amino acids we need,” says Faye Dong, professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois.
Those “essential” amino acids are ones our bodies cannot produce on their own but are necessary to support proper cell function and muscle health, making them a crucial part of a healthy diet.
Beyond the nutritional aspect that should be considered when aiming for a more varied and conscious food choice, people are also increasingly trying to reduce their environmental impact. Recent research has found that 32% of customers are strongly committed to adopting a more sustainable lifestyle, while 28% of consumers have actually stopped buying a product because of its environmental impact (Source: Deloitte)
In clear contrast to many other types of farming, mollusks aquaculture has real potential to benefit the surrounding environment rather than harm it.
One of the simplest and most important ways to reduce your impact on the planet definitely lies in your daily food choices. After reading this article, we’re confident it will feel almost natural to consider adding shellfish to your diet.
Both your health and the environment will thank you.
