5 Things You Need to Know About the Health Benefits of Clams

Clams are surprisingly high in iron. So high, in fact, that t-bone steaks and beef liver don't compare. A three-ounce serving of cooked clams, or about nine small clams, has about 24 milligrams of iron. That's more iron than recommended each day for most adults (iron RDA is 18 milligrams per day for pre-menopausal women and eight milligrams per day for adult men and post-menopausal women.) Some individuals, especially women, have a difficult time getting enough iron each day, resulting in anemia if not treated. If you suffer from low iron, eating clams occasionally will help maintain your iron stores. On the other hand, some individuals absorb too much iron or get too much iron from the foods they eat. For these people, eating clams often may be a problem. The minerals in clams doesn't stop with iron. Clams are a good source of phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium, as well.

Clams are surprisingly high in iron. So high, in fact, that t-bone steaks and beef liver don't compare. A three-ounce serving of cooked clams, or about nine small clams, has about 24 milligrams of iron. That's more iron than recommended each day for most adults (iron RDA is 18 milligrams per day for pre-menopausal women and eight milligrams per day for adult men and post-menopausal women.) Some individuals, especially women, have a difficult time getting enough iron each day, resulting in anemia if not treated. If you suffer from low iron, eating clams occasionally will help maintain your iron stores. On the other hand, some individuals absorb too much iron or get too much iron from the foods they eat. For these people, eating clams often may be a problem. The minerals in clams doesn't stop with iron. Clams are a good source of phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium, as well.