The Holistic Health Benefits of Seafood in Your Diet
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we believe that a balanced diet is the foundation of both dental and overall health. A varied diet rich in essential nutrients supports not only your teeth and gums, but also your entire body. Seafood—particularly shellfish like mussels—offers exceptional nutritional benefits that contribute to oral health in ways many people don’t realise.
Why Mussels Matter for Your Mouth (and More)
Mussels are a nutritional goldmine that supports multiple aspects of health, including your dental wellbeing. These affordable shellfish (approximately $10 for a 1kg organic pack that serves 4) offer impressive health benefits while being delicious and surprisingly easy to prepare.
The Oral Health Connection
The nutrients in mussels specifically support dental health in several ways:
- Vitamin C: Strengthens gum tissue and helps prevent periodontal disease
- Vitamin B12: Reduces inflammation in the mouth and helps prevent canker sores
- Zinc: Fights bacteria that cause plaque and supports gum healing
- Selenium: Acts as an antioxidant that protects gum tissue from damage
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Reduce gum inflammation and may help prevent gum disease
Beyond Your Smile: Whole-Body Benefits
Mussels also contribute to your overall wellbeing:
- Brain health: High in EPA and DHA (omega-3 fatty acids) that improve brain function
- Immune support: Rich in selenium, which helps maintain healthy immune function
- Hormone balance: Contains manganese that supports the production of sex hormones
- Blood sugar regulation: Manganese helps regulate glucose metabolism
- Nervous system: B12 supports nerve health and mood regulation
As holistic dental practitioners, we recognise that what’s good for your body is typically good for your mouth too, and mussels exemplify this connection beautifully.
A Dentist-Approved Recipe
This simple yet flavourful recipe provides a delicious way to incorporate these nutritional powerhouses into your diet.
Ingredients
- 1kg pot-ready mussels
- 600g ripe tomatoes
- 300g bacon
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1/2 bunch basil
Instructions
- Roughly chop tomatoes and bacon, then set aside in separate bowls.
- Finely dice the garlic and add it to a heavy saucepan with the olive oil and bacon.
- Cook for 5 minutes until the bacon is cooked through.
- Add tomatoes and roughly chopped basil; cook on medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the bacon from sticking to the pan.
- Season with sea salt as required.
- Add mussels, stirring to coat them in the tomato sauce.
- Cover with a lid and allow them to cook for 5-8 minutes, until the mussels open (discard any that do not open).
- Serve mussels in a bowl with a generous amount of sauce, garnished with fresh basil.
Serving suggestion: Pair with a small side salad of spinach dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, whole grain mustard and a touch of honey. The vitamin C in the lemon juice aids in iron absorption from the mussels, while the leafy greens provide additional calcium for dental health.
Dental-Friendly Meal Tips
- Enjoy with a glass of water to help rinse food particles from your teeth
- Remember to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth, as acids from food temporarily soften enamel
This recipe is adapted from Life Changing Food, a cookbook we recommend for its focus on nutritionally dense and delicious meals that support whole-body health.
Make It a Regular Part of Your Health Routine
We encourage our patients to incorporate seafood, such as mussels, into their diet 2-3 times a week as part of a balanced approach to nutrition. Your oral health reflects your overall wellbeing, and nutritious meals like this one contribute to both.
Remember, at Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we’re committed to helping you understand the connections between what you eat and your dental health—because true wellness begins with proper nutrition.
Looking for more dental-friendly recipes? Follow us on social media or check our blog regularly for holistic health tips from our team.
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