TIG Post

Tag: health benefits

  • 10 health benefits of Clams

    10 health benefits of Clams

    A clam is a type of shellfish. Clams can be found in saltwater and freshwater. This is a common usage term, and so includes quite a variety of shellfish. Clams are a fairly common form of bivalve, therefore making it part of the phylum Mollusc. There are many clams in the ocean, but some can also be found in some lakes, streams, and rivers.

    Clams offer several health benefits due to their nutrient content. Some potential health benefits of clams include:

    1. Rich in essential nutrients: Clams are a good source of protein, vitamins (such as vitamin B12), and minerals (such as iron, zinc, and selenium), which are important for overall health and vitality.
    2. Low in fat and calories: Clams are relatively low in fat and calories, making them a nutritious option for those seeking a balanced diet or weight management.
    3. Guards against anemia (Iron– 155%)Have you been feeling weak or easily gets tired lately? You may be deficient in iron which helps produce hemoglobin resulting in increased oxygen supply to the tissues. Pregnant and lactating women as well as the elderly and children often have insufficient supply of iron in their body. These bivalves are excellent sources of iron.

    4. Enhances immune system function (Protein – 51%)

    If you’re avoiding red meat, get some of your protein from clams. Every 100 grams can already supply half of the DV of protein which plays an important role in keeping the immune system working properly and thus helps the body combat infections.

    5. Regulates blood sugar levels (Manganese – 50%)

    Clams can provide an excellent supply of manganese, a trace mineral which plays an important role in regulating blood sugar levels. Pineapple, brown rice and garbanzo beans are also packed with manganese.

    6. Good for the teeth and gums (Vitamin C – 34%)

    Fruits are packed with the highest natural form of vitamin C. But these mollusks can also proudly supply a very good amount of this essential nutrient which plays a very important role in the fast healing of wounds and keeping those teeth and gums in the pink of health.

    7. Keeps thyroid in top shape (Copper – 34%)

    They aid in keeping the thyroid healthy by providing copper, a mineral which is linked in thyroid metabolism especially in hormone production and absorption.

    8. Promotes healthy skin (Riboflavin – 25%)

    Individuals with peeling skin especially around the nose accompanied with cracking of the skin at the corners of the mouth may be deficient in riboflavin. Avoid this condition by eating foods rich in riboflavin such as clams.

    9. Prevents osteoporosis (Zinc – 18%)

    Have you seen the nutrients listed in a box of calcium supplements? Have you ever wondered why zinc is usually included in every tablet? Lack of zinc in the body has been found to be a risk factor for osteoporosis. Research has proven that zinc stimulates bone formation and slows down bone loss.

    10. Stabilizes blood pressure levels (Potassium -18% If you’re looking for natural sources of hypertension-fighting foods, grab some potassium-rich fruits and don’t think twice about enjoying a delicious clam chowder.

      It’s worth noting that individuals with specific dietary restrictions or health conditions should consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to their diet or increasing their seafood intake.

    1. Retired Chinese protest over health benefits cuts

      Retired Chinese protest over health benefits cuts

      Chinese retirees have once again gathered in large numbers to protest the reduction of their medical benefits.


      They gathered yet again on Wednesday in the cities of Dalian in the northeast and Wuhan, where Covid was first discovered.

      Just weeks away from the annual National People’s Congress, which will elect a new leadership team, the second round of protests in seven days puts pressure on President Xi Jinping’s administration.

      After provincial authorities announced they were reducing the amount of medical expenses retirees can claim back from the government, protests first broke out in Wuhan on February 8.

      The majority of the protesters, according to social media footage, are elderly retirees who claim this is a response to the rising cost of healthcare.

      Although such health insurance matters are handled at a provincial level, protests have spread to different parts of the country in what appears to be a renewed belief in the power of demonstrating in China.

      At the end of last year, thousands of young Chinese took part in protests that eventually forced the government to overturn its strict zero-Covid measures – people had grown weary of the mass testing and sudden, sweeping lockdowns that had been smashing the economy.

      But the abrupt change in policy placed China’s medical system under enormous strain, as the coronavirus quickly spread through the country. It led to an unknown number of deaths and reporting by the BBC appeared to show that a vast majority of those who died were elderly.

      The changes to health benefits for retirees, which officials have described as “reforms,” come just as China emerges from that brutal Covid wave.

      The plan has been sold as a means of trading off reimbursement levels to increase the scope of coverage to include more areas. However criticism of plan on social media has included the widely held view that Chinese officials are trying to recoup the vast amounts of money spent on compulsory Covid testing and other pandemic measures.

      Officials in both Wuhan and Dalian said they had no knowledge of the most recent protests and, as such, had no comment to make. Calls to local police stations went unanswered.

      Radio Free Asia reported that retired iron and steel workers made up a significant proportion of the original protest group in Wuhan.

      The use of existing social network links could help to explain how these gatherings have been coordinated in a country where organising dissent against the government in any form is difficult and can lead to severe punishment, including prison sentences.

      Video clips shared on social media showed elderly protestors singing the global Communist anthem, the Internationale. In the past, this song has been used as a means of indicating that demonstrators are not against the government or the Communist Party but merely want their grievances resolved.

      A shopkeeper who witnessed this Wednesday’s protest in Wuhan told the BBC that police on both sides of a nearby road had blocked access to the area in order to prevent more people joining the hundreds of elderly demonstrators who were already chanting slogans.

      Three years of the pandemic crisis followed by a tumultuous exit from zero-Covid have generated considerable public discontent over China’s health policies.

      Staff members in protective suits conduct COVID-19 nuclei acid tests at a residential area on January 2, 2022 in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province of China.
      Image caption,China’s zero-Covid measures involved mass testing

      Mr Xi had given the country’s Covid amelioration policies his personal stamp of approval and the Party has struggled to explain why such a sudden about-face was necessary.

      The Chinese government had also publicly ridiculed other countries for opening up too early, claiming they had unnecessarily sacrificed their people as a result.

      It then turned around and abandoned its own restrictions at an even greater speed than other nations had done, and did so after maintaining lockdowns and other harsh measures for much longer than anywhere else in the world.

      Many here now believe that, as a result, livelihoods were unnecessarily destroyed.

      On China’s Twitter-like Weibo social media platform, the hashtag #healthinsurance – in Chinese – has attracted millions of hits but was removed from the site’s “hot topics” section.

      The hashtag matching the site of the most recent protests in Wuhan – Zhongshan Park – was censored and photos claiming to be of the demonstration have been removed.

      However, even with China’s vast censorship apparatus swinging into action, a large amount of support is still being expressed for the protesting retirees on social media.

      Beijing will need to find a way to resolve the issue if it wants to avoid further public agitation.