Snails are the largest subgroup of mollusks with 10,000 species and 400 living families. Globally, they are distributed everywhere, in water and on land. Farmers often hunt these snails because they were considered pests in the past. However, after discovering that this animal offers a number of health benefits, it quickly became one of the most consumed foods around the world and very healthy food. Today we explore the health benefit of snail.
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Interesting facts about Snail
Did you know, that snails belong to the mollusk family that lived 550 million years ago? Currently, there are about 43,000 species of snails found in different habitats around the world. Their bodies are boneless and their shells are made of calcium carbonate with layers of protein that harden over time. Water snails have the most intricate patterns with red, orange, and yellow colors while land snails use camouflage colors such as white, brown, and gray to hide from many predators. Snails have a simple brain but are capable of associative learning and long-term memory formation. They can lift up to 10 times their own body weight in an upright position.
Did you know that snails can smell food from a few meters away and have more than 14,000 teeth on their tongues, which are as rough as a cat’s? Although they are practically blind, their bigger pair of tentacles are their eyes, and their smaller ones are their olfactory organs. Snails move at a speed of 1.3 cm per second, making them one of the slowest animals on earth. Many species that spend most of their time active at night or during the day when it rains hibernate throughout the winter or during periods of extreme drought by gluing themselves into something in a shaded area and closing their entrances with dry mucus called epiphragm.
The health benefit of snail
Snails contain rich protein
The first health benefit of snail is contained rich in protein. 16.1 g of protein, or 32% of the recommended requirement, is present in 100 grams of snail meat. Protein is essential for building and repairing dead cells in the body. For the body to function properly, something is required. Every organ and tissue in the body has protein. Unlike other animal protein sources, along with high fat and calorie content, when consumed continuously over time will increase cholesterol levels in the body, leading to a number of health complications such as stroke and other diseases. With heart disease, snail meat contains almost zero fat making it one of the healthiest sources of protein.
Contain High Selenium
One of the health benefit of snail is their high selenium content. Selenium is one of the most important elements the body needs to fight off deadly heart disease and cancer. It protects your body against many diseases and chronic diseases, not only that, selenium is also necessary for the regulation of thyroid hormones.
Snail contains Vitamins and Minerals
Eating snail meat is beneficial for the health of all ages. Snail meat contains a lot of vitamins A, E, B1, B3, B6, and even B12. Vitamin A is known to be a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant in the body. Vitamins B1, B3, B6, and B12 are important vitamins that support the treatment and prevention of diabetes. Skincare and cell regeneration require vitamin E. It is also an antioxidant and supports the stability of cell membranes. It also safeguards the testicles, liver, breasts, skin, and tissues of the eyes. Vitamin E shields the lungs from oxidative harm, especially from toxins in the environment.
A high Phosphorus content
Snails are rich in phosphorus. The main role of phosphorus is to conduct energy for fat and carbohydrate metabolism, support healthy teeth and gums, synthesize DNA, and absorption of calcium. Snail meat has a significant amount of phosphorus, which is necessary for the body’s nutrition and the normal functioning of body cells. This is also a popular health benefit of snail.
Very low in Fat
If your hobby is to lose weight, snails are the best meat to help you achieve that. Snail meat is recommended for enthusiasts who monitor their weight while eating healthy, and also for those who are managing health complications such as high blood pressure and diabetes as it has a similar cholesterol content relatively low.
Useful for skin beautification
In addition to being helpful for your health, some types of snails are also incredibly healthy for your skin. Other nations have a history of using snails to enhance the skin. For thousands of years, traditional medicine has employed snail slime to treat a variety of skin issues, including acne and wounds. The scars will deteriorate as the slime sticks to them. Snail slime has several helpful properties for the skin, including the capacity to stimulate skin repair and healing while protecting skin, as well as anti-aging properties that encourage suppleness, nourishment, and suppleness.
Improves Blood count
Snail meat should surely be included in your next meal because it is rich in iron, which is an essential element for the production of red blood cells in your body. If you’re prone to stress and suffer from anemia or excessive exhaustion, you should probably eat more snail flesh.
Prevent Cardio Diseases
One of the health benefit of snail is that it lowers blood pressure. It is also highly effective in reducing the risk of heart problems, including hypertension and cardiac arrest. Snails contain Omega 3 which has the effect of supporting the prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Additionally crucial in the management of lupus, eczema, and rheumatoid arthritis are omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, omega 3 in snails is also capable of supporting children’s brain development and memory to promote children’s development.
Snail contains Tryptophan
An essential amino acid for humans is tryptophan. Many people are unfamiliar with tryptophan, although it plays an important function in regulating the body, especially during sleep, pulse, and hunger. It also improves nitrogen balance in adult and child development. Niacin, which is essential for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin, is also produced by tryptophan. This is also the last health benefit of snail in this article.
Conclusion
Based on the various health benefit of snail meat described, snail meat is essential and plays an important function in the body. Snails are very good for the body of men, women, old or young. It keeps the body sugar-free, reduces high blood pressure, and contains no fat. Its nutrient content is superior when compared to other related meats. Add snail meat to your diet today.
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