What are scallops?

Scallops are bivalve molluscs. Their scientific name is Pecten jacobaeus.

 

What are the nutritional properties of scallops?

100 g of raw scallops (various species) provide about 69 calories and:

  • 82.53 g of water
  • 12,06 g of protein
  • 0.49 g of fat, of which: 0.128 g of saturated fat, 0.048 g monounsaturated fat, 0.130 g of polyunsaturated fats (including 215 mg of omega 3 and 4 mg of omega 6), 0.005 g of trans fat and 24 mg of cholesterol
  • 3.18 g carbohydrates
  • 0.703 mg of niacin
  • 0.015 mg of riboflavin
  • 0.073 mg of vitamin B6
  • 0.007 mg of thiamin
  • 3 IU of vitamin A
  • 16 micrograms of folate
  • 1.41 micrograms of vitamin B12
  • 392 mg of sodium
  • 334 mg of phosphorus
  • 205 mg of potassium
  • 22 mg of magnesium
  • 6 mg of calcium
  • 0.91 mg of zinc
  • 0.38 mg of iron
  • 22.33 micrograms of selenium

 

When should you not eat scallops?

There are no known interactions between the consumption of scallops and the intake of drugs or other substances. If in doubt it is good to seek advice from your doctor.

 

Availability of scallops

The key months in which you can find scallops on the market  are those between May and September, and also December .

 

Possible benefits and drawbacks of the scallops

Scallops are low in saturated fats, lipids that if taken in excess can endanger the health of the heart and arteries . Furthermore it is a source of omega-3, fatty acids good for cardiovascular health, and potassium, which protects the heart and arteries by controlling the heart rate and the blood pressure. These molluscs also make even high-quality protein, B vitamins (important to secure a good metabolism), magnesium (involved in many processes inside and outside the cells), phosphorus (important for the health of bones and teeth ) and selenium (micronutrient with antioxidant functions).

 

Unfortunately, however, the scallops are rich in cholesterol (whose daily intake should not exceed 300 mg or 200 mg in the presence of cardiovascular problems). Also they are rich in sodium, another potential enemy of the cardiovascular system (whose intake should not exceed 2000 mg per day).