Jellyfish: Complete Mineral Profile

Jellyfish ‐ Mineral Information

Jellyfish are marine animals found in many bodies of water worldwide. Jellyfish not only provide an important source of food for humans in some parts of the world, but they also contain valuable minerals that can have a positive effect on human health. This paper will discuss what these minerals are and how they benefit us when obtained from eating jellyfish.

Minerals are chemical elements necessary to sustain life and are found naturally occurring in certain foods. Eating just 1 ounce of dried jellyfish can yield up to 2.5 mg of calcium, 68.2ug* (micrograms) of iron and 28.8 ug of zinc. All three of these essential minerals are necessary for proper bodily function.

Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body and plays a key role in bone and teeth development and maintenance. Adequate amounts of calcium are needed throughout our lifetime as it strengthens bones and teeth and helps prevent osteoporosis. In addition to being beneficial for bone health, calcium has been shown to reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer, and even lower blood pressure levels in individuals with hypertension. A study done at the University of Oslo showed that consuming 80 grams of jellyfish can supply a person with more than 200mg of calcium per day.

Iron is another mineral that is vital for human health, especially for women with menstural cycles, pregnant women or people with specific dietary restrictions that limit their absorption of other sources. Iron helps the body transport oxygen to muscle cells and aids enzymes in metabolic activities. By eating just 100 milligrams of jellyfish per day, you could fulfill your daily recommended amount of 14-18 mg of iron, depending on gender and age.

The third mineral found in high quantities in jellyfish is zinc. Zinc helps in a variety of body processes such as wound healing, immune system functioning, hormone production, energy metabolism and cell growth. It’s an element that is necessary to maintain good overall physical health. Studies have shown consuming only 75 milligrams of dry jellyfish each day can provide the rest of the observed population with the recommended 9mg of zinc.

It's clear that there are several benefits associated with obtaining these minerals from eating jellyfish. However, there are both potential risks and benefits associated with doing so. For example, though jellyfish is safe and nutritious, some species may be contaminated by pollutants present in the ocean. Therefore, it is always wise to obtain your food from clean sources or certified sellers if available. Additionally, because of its high sodium content, those who are hypertensive should take caution when consuming large quantities of this seafood delicacy.

In conclusion, jellyfish tend to be an overlooked source of minerals, particularly calcium, iron, and zinc. Consuming these essential nutrients through jellyfish consumption ensures that you receive all the necessary minerals to correct deficiencies and promote general wellbeing. The average adult is recommended to consume 70 – 100 milligrams of dried jellyfish per day to meet the daily requirement for these three minerals. With enough care taken over its origin and preparation, jellyfish can prove to be a healthy food choice given its rich sources of nutrients.

*Micrograms