In fact, all shellfish is high in nutrients and has been shown to increase the level of heart-healthy HDL cholesterol in your blood ( 5).Īlthough there are legitimate concerns about mercury and toxins in certain types of fish and shellfish, the benefits of consuming seafood far outweigh the risks ( 6). The iron in shellfish is heme iron, which your body absorbs more easily than the non-heme iron found in plants.Ī 3.5-ounce serving of clams also provides 26 grams of protein, 24% of the DV for vitamin C, and a whopping 4,125% of the DV for vitamin B12. However, the iron content of clams is highly variable, and some types may contain much lower amounts ( 4).
All shellfish is high in iron, but clams, oysters, and mussels are particularly good sources.įor instance, a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of clams may contain up to 3 mg of iron, which is 17% of the DV ( 3).
