Did you know that snails are one of the oldest animals on Earth, dating back to more than 600 million years ago? Did you also know that snails are delicious, nutritious, and beneficial for your health? If you are curious about these slimy creatures and their health benefits, then this blog post is for you.
Snails are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world, especially in France, where they are known as escargots. Snails are a great source of protein and contain low levels of fat, and contain an array of minerals and vitamins including iron, calcium, and magnesium, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Snails can help improve your health in many ways, from boosting your immunity to enhancing your skin.
My main purpose in this article is to inform you about the 10 health benefits of snails and why you should consider adding them to your diet starting from. This blog will teach you all about the nutritional information, the potential health benefits, and the possible risks of eating snails.
One promise I am making to you is that by the end of this blog post, you will better understand why snails are healthy to eat and how they can improve your well-being.
1. Snails can help prevent and treat anemia
One of the health benefits of snail is that it can help prevent and treat anemia, which is a condition where there is insufficient quantities of healthy red blood cells within the bloodstream results in a lack of adequate oxygen to your tissues. Anemia can cause fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pale skin.
Snails are a great source of iron, an essential mineral for producing hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in your blood. One serving of snails (100 grams) can provide you with 3.5 milligrams of iron, which is 19% of the recommended daily intake for men and 25% for women.
Anemia often arises due to iron deficiency, which is a widespread cause of this condition, especially among women, children, and vegetarians. Eating snails can help you meet your iron needs and prevent or treat anemia. A study conducted in Nigeria found that snail consumption increased the hemoglobin levels and iron status of pregnant women who were anemic.
Another study in Ghana showed that snail supplementation improved the iron status and cognitive performance of schoolchildren who were iron-deficient.
2. Snails can improve your heart health
Another health benefit of snails is that by incorporating healthy lifestyle choices, you have the ability to enhance the health of your heart and reduce your likelihood of experiencing cardiovascular ailments like heart attacks or strokes, and high blood pressure.
Snails are low in fat and cholesterol, which can help you achieve and sustaining a healthy weight and preventing plaque buildup in your arteries. Snails are also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for your heart. Incorporating Omega-3 fatty acids into one’s diet may effectively reduce levels of triglycerides in the body, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow. One serving of snails (100 grams) can provide you with 0.3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids, that constitute 15% of the recommended daily intake.
Eating snails can help you protect your heart and keep it functioning properly. A study conducted in France found that snail consuming snail regularly was linked to a decreased the likelihood of developing both coronary heart disease and stroke. Another study in Spain showed that snail that consuming snail is associated with lower levels of blood pressure and cholesterol.
3. Snails can boost your immunity
Snails can also boost your immunity and help you fight off infections and diseases. Snails are rich in selenium, which is an important mineral for your immune system. Selenium can help activate your white blood cells is known to play very important role in protecting your body from harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Selenium can also help prevent oxidative stress, which is a condition where your cells are damaged free radicals that are unstable molecules which have the potential to cause inflammation and chronic diseases. One serving of snails (100 grams) can provide you with 44.8 micrograms of selenium, which is 81% of the recommended daily intake.
Eating snails can help you strengthen your immunity and prevent illnesses. A study conducted in China found that snail extract enhanced the immune response and increased the rate at which the the survival of lethal virus infection from mice. Another study in Nigeria showed that snail extract increased the antioxidant activity and reduced the inflammation of rats with diabetes.
4. Snails can enhance your skin health
Snails can also enhance your skin health and make you look younger and more beautiful. Snails are a good source of vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin for your skin.
The ingestion of Vitamin A can stimulate the production of collagen, a crucial protein which aid the provision of both elasticity and firmness to the skin. Vitamin A can also help prevent and treat acne, wrinkles, sun damage, and skin infections. One serving of snails (100 grams) can provide you with 100 micrograms of vitamin A, which is 11% of the recommended daily intake.
Eating snails can help you improve your skin health and appearance. A study conducted in Korea found that snail secretion filtrate, which is a substance produced by snails to protect their skin, had anti-aging, moisturizing, and wound healing effects on human skin cells. Another study in Italy showed that snail secretion filtrate improved the skin texture, hydration, and elasticity of women with mild to moderate facial wrinkles.
5. Snails can support your bone health
Snails can also support your bone health and prevent osteoporosis, which is a condition where your bones become weak and brittle. Snails are a great calcium source, another health benefit of snail. Calcium is a mineral that is essential for your bone formation and maintenance.
Calcium is a vital nutrient that can aid in the development of robust bones and teeth and prevent bone loss and fractures. One serving of snails (100 grams) can provide you with 250 milligrams of calcium, which is 25% of the recommended daily intake.
Eating snails can help you keep your bones healthy and strong. A study conducted in France found that snail shell powder, rich in calcium carbonate, Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis experienced improvements in their bone mineral density and a decrease in bone resorption. Another study in Nigeria showed that snail shell ash, which is also rich in calcium carbonate, improved the bone healing and regeneration of rats with bone defects.
6. Snails can aid your digestion
Snails can also aid digestion and prevent constipation, Constipation is a state where an individual experiences trouble with defecation or has less than three bowel movements in a week. Snails are high in fiber, which is a type of carbohydrate that your body cannot digest.
Fiber can help you regulate your bowel movements, soften your stools, and increase your stool bulk. Fiber can also help you lower regulating your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, you can effectively lower your chances of colon cancer and diverticulitis. One serving of snails (100 grams) has the ability to offer a fiber content of 2 grams, constituting merely 8% of the daily recommended intake intake.
Eating snails can help you improve your digestion and bowel health. A study conducted in Nigeria found that snail musing, which is a substance produced by snails to lubricate their movement, had laxative and anti-ulcer effects on rats with constipation and gastric ulcers. Another study in Cameroon showed that snail musing had anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects on rats with colitis, which is an inflammation of the colon.
7. Snails can promote your brain health
Snails can also promote brain health and enhance cognitive abilities such as memory retention, acquisition of knowledge. Snails are high in vitamin B12, which is a vital vitamin for your brain and nervous system.
Vitamin B12 can help you produce neurotransmitters, which chemical messengers that functions as transmitters of signals between brain cells. Vitamin B12 can also help you prevent and treat neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and depression. One serving of snails (100 grams) can provide you with 3.4 micrograms of vitamin B12, which is 142% of the recommended daily intake.
Eating snails can help you boost your brain health and performance. A study conducted in France found that eating snail was associated with a very reduced likelihood of experiencing cognitive decline and dementia in older adults. Another study in Nigeria showed that snail extract improved the memory and learning abilities of rats with scopolamine-induced amnesia.
8. Snails can increase your energy levels
Snails can also increase your energy levels and help you overcome fatigue, weakness, and tiredness. Snails are high in protein, a macronutrient your body needs for growth, repair, and maintenance. Protein can help you build and preserve your muscle mass, which is important for your strength and endurance.
Protein can also help you regulate your hormones, enzymes, and antibodies, which are essential for your metabolism and immunity. One serving of snails (100 grams) can provide you with 16.1 grams of protein, which is 32% of the recommended daily intake.
Eating snails can help you enhance your energy levels and vitality. A study conducted in Nigeria found that snail consumption increased the physical performance and endurance of athletes who participated in a 12-week training program. Another study in Ghana showed that snail supplementation Enhanced both weight gain and feed efficiency of broiler chickens bred for meat.
9. Snails can improve your vision
Snails can also improve your vision and prevent eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Snails are a good source of vitamin E, which has particular antioxidant has the capability of safeguarding your eyes from oxidative stress and inflammation.
Vitamin E can help prevent or delay the onset of cataracts, which are cloudy areas in The lens of your eye, which has the potential to cause visual impairment. Vitamin E can also help lower the intraocular pressure, which is the pressure inside your eye that can cause glaucoma, which is a condition caused by a particular condition can ultimately result in loss of vision. One serving of snails (100 grams) can provide you with 5 milligrams of vitamin E, which is 33% of the recommended daily intake.
Eating snails can help you maintain your vision and eye health. A study conducted in France found that eating snail is linked to a very lower risk of age-related macular degeneration, a degenerative disease affecting the central region of your retina is capable of causing a decline in vision. Another study in Nigeria showed that snail extract improved the visual acuity and contrast sensitivity of rats with cataract-induced vision impairment.
10. Snails can balance your hormones
Snails can also balance your hormones and help you cope with hormonal disorders, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Snails are high in zinc, a trace mineral involved in the creation and control of multiple hormones which include thyroid hormones, insulin, and sex hormones, are present in the body.
Zinc can help you prevent or treat hypothyroidism, which is a condition where your thyroid gland produce insufficient thyroid hormones, which can affect your metabolism, growth, and development. Zinc can also help you control your blood sugar levels and prevent or manage diabetes, which is a condition where your body does not produce or use insulin properly, which can cause high blood sugar levels and complications.
Zinc can also help you regulate your menstrual cycle and fertility and prevent or treat polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a condition where your ovaries produce excess androgens, which can cause irregular periods, acne, hair growth, and infertility. One serving of snails (100 grams) can provide you with 1.6 milligrams of zinc, which is 15% of the recommended daily intake.
Eating snails can help you balance your hormones and improve your hormonal health. A study conducted in Nigeria found that snail consumption increased the serum levels of thyroid hormones and reduced the symptoms of hypothyroidism in rats. Another study in Cameroon showed that snail extract lowers blood glucose levels and improved the insulin sensitivity of rats with diabetes.
Conclusion
Snails are healthy to eat and have many health benefits. Snails can help you prevent and treat anemia, improve your heart health, boost your immunity, enhance your skin health, support your bone health, aid your digestion, promote your brain health, increase your energy levels, improve your vision, and balance your hormones.
Snails are also delicious, easy to prepare, and can be relished in a multitude of dishes and incorporated into a range of culinary traditions.
If you want to try snails or learn more about them, we invite you to check out this article, where you can find more information, tips, and why snails are healthy for your consumption. You can also leave us a comment below and share your thoughts, questions, or experiences with snails.
We hope you learned something new and useful. Remember, snails are not only tasty, but also healthy, so don’t be afraid to give them a try. You might be surprised by how much you like them.
