Certain shellfish are also a good source of certain nutrients that are otherwise difficult to obtain, including selenium, an important micronutrient that helps cognitive ability, immune functionand prevent cell damage. Certain shellfish also provide antioxidants like beta-carotene, which helps boost immunity, and astaxanthin, which helps skin retain moisture and elasticity, and stay youthful, according to the BBC good food. Shellfish are also a good source of minerals like zinc, which helps with immunity, copper, which helps in the production of collagen and hemoglobin, and iron, which helps create red blood cells, according to Weather.
Shellfish are feared to be high in heavy metals like mercury, cadmium and lead, but BBC Good Food reports that the average levels found are actually below the maximum suggested levels. According to faye dong, a professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois, eating shellfish once or twice a week is generally safe in terms of potential contamination. So go ahead and indulge in those prawn and scallop scampi, lobster roll, or guilt-free oyster platter.
