Mussel Nutrition Benefits and Facts

Nutritional summary

Mussels provide a high concentration of essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein that the body cannot produce on its own), including lysine and leucine, which are critical for protein synthesis and tissue repair .
As a nutrient-dense aquatic food, mussels contribute to a dietary pattern that is consistently linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and improved long-term health outcomes .
These shellfish are a notable source of iodine, a mineral essential for thyroid function, containing levels comparable to other nutrient-dense seafood like oysters .
Like many mollusks, mussels are a practical source of minerals such as potassium, which is identified as a shortfall nutrient in many modern diets .

Interesting fact

Mussels use incredibly strong, silk-like threads called 'byssus' to anchor themselves to rocks, and these fibers are so durable they have been studied for use in creating medical-grade surgical adhesives.

Standout nutrients

EPIC

SOURCE

Chromium

EPIC

SOURCE

Vitamin B12

EPIC

SOURCE

Iodine

EPIC

SOURCE

Selenium

kcal per 100g

Protein13.0g

Fat2.29g

Carbs3.62g

Fat breakdown

Polyunsat0.62g

Monounsat0.48g

Saturated0.46g

Seasonality

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeakIn seasonOther months

Diet

PescatarianGluten FreeDairy FreeKetoLow FodmapPaleo

Sustainability

Lighter footprint

Mussels are filter feeders that require no external feed and actually improve water quality by removing excess nutrients.

Confidencehigh

Storage

Refrigerate

1–2 days

Store in a bowl covered with a damp cloth; do not store in water or airtight bags.

Flavour

Data & Sources

Harmonized from 3 validated sources

French Food Database

1 contributing source food

McCance & Widdowson

1 contributing source food

USDA

USDA FoodData Central

1 contributing source food

Claim citations

What is the relationship between dietary patterns consumed and risk of cardiovascular disease? | Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review

[1]nesr.usda.gov

Overview of Health and Diet in America - NCBI - NIH

[7]www.ncbi.nlm.nih.govncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary Intake and Nutrient Composition of Seafood - NCBI - NIH

[8]www.ncbi.nlm.nih.govncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aquatic Foods - The Nutrition Source

[9]nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu

Expert-Reviewed Nutritional Guidance for Adults with Spinal Cord Injury: A Delphi Study - PMC

[10]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Defining a Healthy Diet: Evidence for the Role of Contemporary ...

[12]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Coverage

Nutrients

FoodCompass

95.3

Version

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