Can I eat clams frequently?

Mar 25, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I love clams so much that I eat them several times a week. However, I recently heard that eating too much seafood might be unhealthy. Is it okay to eat clams frequently? Could they have any adverse effects on the body?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yu Yongchao

Generally speaking, clams are not recommended for frequent consumption.

In terms of nutritional content, clams contain abundant protein, various vitamins, and minerals. Protein is a fundamental component of human tissues and plays an important role in maintaining muscle and bone health. Vitamins and minerals participate in regulating various physiological functions, enhancing immunity, and promoting growth and development. Therefore, moderate consumption of clams can help supplement essential nutrients and benefit overall health.

However, clams also contain certain amounts of cholesterol and purines. Long-term excessive consumption of high-cholesterol foods may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, while high-purine foods may trigger or worsen gout symptoms. Additionally, some individuals may be allergic to seafood and may experience allergic reactions such as skin itching and difficulty breathing after consumption. Therefore, frequent consumption of clams is not recommended to avoid adverse effects caused by excessive intake.

In daily diets, it is advisable to maintain a balanced combination of foods, control portion sizes, and avoid excessive consumption of any single food item, which helps maintain good health.