Facts About Abalone

Abalone is among the sea animals that have many benefits for health. Abalone is a kind of large snail that resides in the ocean. More technically, it is a gastropod mollusk belonging to the Haliotidae family (alongside whelks and sea slugs). For Asians, Abalone has long been acknowledged for its health benefits, including healthy skin and eyes.

The meat (its foot muscle) of the Abalone is used for food. Then, the shells of this animal (Abalone) are used as decorative items and as a source of pieces of jewelry or pearls, buckles, buttons, and inlay. For food, you may eat them cooked or raw, like a clam, but grilling appears to work best. The flavor is naturally salty and buttery, thanks to the saltwater in which it resides. Abalone not only tastes amazing but also an excellent source of many important nutrients.

Biologically, Abalone is a mollusk that belongs to the Gastropoda class.  This means that Abalone is technically a kind of marine snail.

However, Abalone appears very different from a typical snail; it has more in common with mussels and oysters.

Due to its soft texture and flavor, Abalone is a staple in fine dining around the globe. On another negative side, it grows so slowly at a rate of about 1 inch yearly.

The name “Abalone” originates from the Spanish-American word “Alone,” meaning the name of the animal. Abalone is also well known by many different names around the globe, like Ormer in the Mutton shells, Awabi in Japan, the English Channel in Australia, Pāua in New Zealand, and Perlemoen in South Africa.

In Mandarin, Abalone is known as “Bao yu,” meaning of definite abundance. Chinese folks give each other gifts of Abalone during New Year to wish each other abundance of wealth in the new year.

What Does Abalone Taste Like?

Abalone has a special and very flavorful taste, which is difficult to describe. This shellfish also soaks up the flavors of the food that it is cooked with it.

When raw, Abalone is subtle, but it firms after cooking.

Also, providing it has been well-cooked, Abalone has a great tender texture.

Abalone Nutrition Facts

Abalone is highly nutritious and is an excellent source of protein, Iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids. It also provides numerous important vitamins and minerals and is low in fat.

According to the USDA Nutrient Database, a 3-ounce (85 grams) serving of mixed species, cooked fried Abalone contains:

161 calories

16.7 g of protein

9.39 g of carbohydrates

5.76 g of fat

31.4 mg of calcium

0.2 mg of copper

184 mg of phosphorus

47.6 mg of magnesium

502 mg of sodium

Abalone Varieties

Fresh California red abalone: A variety most widely available, along with the smaller pink, green, and black Abalone.

Australian Abalone (Haliotis Rubra): A delicious mollusk with a well-refined flavor that is entirely non-fishy.

Health Benefits of Abalone

While folks treasure Abalone for its culinary traits, does it grant good nutritional value?

Here we will study some of the benefits that it offers.

• Cancer Prevention

Research has proved that abalone extract possesses anti-cancer features by inducing the death of tumor cells and necrosis.

A published 2010 study in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, it was shown that visceral abalone extract may stop tumor growth and promote CD8+ T cell increase and cytolytic function.

• Rich In Protein

Abalone is a good source of bioavailable protein, and it has 17.1 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Furthermore, with only about 105 calories per 100 grams, Abalone is low in calories.

These values make this shellfish highly protein-dense, and it rivals foods such as chicken breast in the protein-per-calorie ratio.

• Offers (Some) Omega-3

According to a nutrition survey, the average American resident eats 84.3 mg of EPA and DHA omega-3 per day.

EPA and DHA are the most bioavailable types of omega-3, which is a vital fatty acid with anti-inflammatory features.

Unfortunately, the current dietary principles recommend that we eat an “average intake of 250 mg of EPA and DHA daily,” so current intakes are low.

Abalone is not as high in omega-3 as oily fish such as salmon and tuna, but it still gives a small amount of this fatty acid.

Per 100 grams, Abalone gives 49 mg of EPA and DHA omega-3.

• Reduce Heart Disease

Abalone has a high quality of omega 3, which is very useful for lowering heart disease levels. Omega-3 fatty acids are a kind of polyunsaturated fat. Omega-3 protects our bodies against stroke and keep our heart healthy. They also aid in the improvement of our heart health if we already have heart disease.

• Enhance the Function of the Liver and the Spine

The spine and liver are some of the vital body organs. The liver is important in the digestion process and therefore must be maintained in a healthy condition almost all the time. The health of our liver determines the resulting health of our digestive system, and our health is at large. And Abalone helps to boost the function of such organs or enhances the health of an individual. Abalone is among the liver-supportive foods and boosts the detoxifying strength of the liver.

• Rich in Selenium

One of the most outstanding nutrients in Abalone is selenium.

Selenium is a vital mineral that helps to boost our immune system. The mineral achieves this by activating various proteins and enzymes with antioxidant functions.

Per 100 grams, Abalone has 44.8 mcg of selenium, which is 64 percent of the daily value we ought to be getting.

• Keep the Kidney Health

Abalone also has phosphorus which is good to keep kidneys healthy.  It works well by ensuring the proper release of waste from the kidneys during the process of excretion and urination. By increasing the quantity and rate of urination, the body can balance the levels of excess salts, uric acid, water, and fat. Phosphorous pushes the healthy balance of all materials and fluids that are lost from the entire body.

• Control the Function of Thyroid

In Abalone also you may find Iodine which is vital for the brain. Iodine is among the instrumentals that your brain needed. Iodine influences the functioning of thyroid glands by assisting in the production of hormones. It controls healthy body development, specifically the central nervous system. Iodine also plays a vital role in maintaining optimal energy planes of the body.

• Relieve Muscle Cramps

Eating Abalone can eradicate minor health problems such as muscle weakness, fatigue, numbness, and similar ailments which occasionally appear in your body. Fatigue, as you know, it is beyond feeling overworked and just feeling sleepy, but it can make you feel you want to curl up in bed and overlook the rest of the world. Then after you eat Abalone, the blood and energy circulate back to normal again and raise the lost energy before.

• Improve circulation in the body

Phosphorus in Abalone also adds to strike a balance between cell repair and blood circulation.  The repair maintenance and process of various body cells suffer daily from wear and tear. It can also alleviate colds, lower fluid retention and enhance circulation.

• Effective From Prevent Fever

Fever is a common medical issue for most people. Fever is experienced when body temperature becomes elevated. Abalone is a great choice for those who want to rid of fever. Because fever has some nutrition facts which are very useful for curing fever, that is essential to the body needed.

• Good for Reproductive System

One problem faced by many pregnant women is not realizing that they must eat Iodine for themselves and her child. Even though consuming Abalone can aid the growth of reproductive organs and become more mature than usual. It is vital to prevent stillbirth conditions such as cretinism in new-born babies. Iodine boosts milk production, and it makes a great deal when it is lost every day.

Preparation

Here is how to prepare and clean fresh shelled Abalone:

Wash some shelled abalone in clean running water with a scrubber or brush.

Remove the abalone meat from its shell with a spoon by moving your spoon around the edge, between the shell and meat, until it separates from the shell entirely.

Lift out the flesh, remove the intestines and also the hard parts of the mouth at that V-shape end of the aquatic animal with a small knife, and then wash well.

After cleaning, chop or slice the meat and cook as desired.