Mussels

America's Mussels, or clams, are a group of animals so inconspicuous they are often mistaken for rocks. Laying on the bottom of lakes, rivers, and creeks, they rarely move and eat by filtering water for microscopic food particles. They can even reproduce without moving. The male disperses sperm and the water current carries it to the female where fertilization occurs.

Mussels

Living Rocks as Important Natural Resources

In the past, mussels were used by native Americans in the construction of tools and utensils. Mussels were also an important food source. After European settlement, mussels were harvested for their shells to make pearl buttons. By the early 1900's, this multi-million dollar business was in full swing along the Mississippi River. Mussels play an important role in the aquatic ecosystem. Many different kinds of wildlife eat mussels, including raccoon, otters, herons, and egrets. Mussels filter water for food and thus are a purification system. They are usually present in groups called beds.

Home made seafood paella with mussels, Brisbane, Australia

Farm mussels

Fishermen from Rhode Island to Maine are beginning to farm mussels in socks in the ocean. First, they collect baby mussel seed on ropes near the shore. The seed goes into a sock around a long rope. On the water, the sock with the rope is connected to buoys, dropped into the water, and left to grow in the ocean for at least a year. After one year, juicy mussels are bursting through the socks. They are collected, packed on ice, and brought back to shore to sell.

A small farm with 12 long lines can produce up to 180,000 pounds of mussels each year. Farming mussels on rafts and on the bottom is hard work, muddy, and messy. But it can be fun, too. Right now, in the United States, mussel farming is catching on among fishermen and farmers. It’s helping provide the seafood we need in a healthy and sustainable manner.

Jaleo - Las Vegas

Mussels benefits

Mussels, a type of saltwater or freshwater mollusk, count as protein foods under the United States Department of Agriculture ChooseMyPlate nutritional guidelines.

Protein One of the nutritional benefits of eating mussels is increased protein intake. Each 1-cup serving of mussels contains almost 18 grams of protein.

Mussels cooked on white wine and cream

Selenium Mussels also offer health benefits due to their selenium content. Selenium, an essential mineral, helps support protein function. Consuming enough selenium allows these enzymes to carry out a range of functions -- controlling thyroid hormone levels, supporting muscle function and facilitating sperm production in men. Eating 1 cup of mussels boosts your selenium intake by 67.2 micrograms.

Vitamin A Adequate vitamin A intake nourishes your eyes, skin and immune system, and aids in the production of new red blood cells. Each 1-cup serving of mussels contains 240 international units of vitamin A.

Nutritional information on Mussels

NB:Carbohydrate, by difference(total carbs-fiber) is also called net carbs