Why eating snails should be on your bucket list
Every year, we make new resolutions to maintain and improve our healthy lifestyles. "Eat more vegetables," we tell ourselves and make other resolutions like; reduce sugar intake, drink lots of water, and a few other dos and don'ts on the list. But one thing many forget to do is add "EAT ENOUGH SNAILS" to the list.
When it comes to snail consumption, many Africans, especially Nigerians, have reservations towards them, some of which appear to be superstitious.
However, as many do not know, snails are highly nutritious meat, considered high-quality food packed with protein and iron. They serve as an alternative food for people requiring a high-protein, low-fat diet with 15% protein, 80% water, and 2.4% fat nutrients.
What are the functions of these nutrients, you ask?
Apart from snails being heart-loving fatty acids that serve the heart, they also help:
- Build Red Blood Cells
Iron helps red blood cells move oxygen to all parts of the body, as well as keeping the hair, nails, and skin healthy.
- Improve Heart Health
Fish are popular suppliers of Omega-3 fatty acids, but snails are a good source of them too. Omega-3s have proven to improve heart health and reduce the risk of dying of heart disease. They also help lower blood pressure, reduce blood clotting, and keep the heartbeat steady.
- Boost Immune System
Vitamin A helps your immune system fight off diseases and strengthens your eyes. It also helps cells in the body grow. Calcium keeps the bones strong and reduces the risk of developing bone-related problems.
- Improving Anaemia
Iron deficiency can cause anaemia with symptoms like fatigue, pale skin, chest pain, headache, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Fortunately, eating snails may help relieve some of these symptoms by treating the underlying cause.