Thanks to protein, zinc, iron and Omega-3, Snails are being touted as the new superfood. After all, sixty million Frenchmen can’t be wrong.

If it’s good enough for the French, it’s good enough for you. A theory which worked with croissants, fries and garlic, and now, it seems, snails, which are busy crawling their way onto a plate near you.

But if you’re one of the many diners who baulk at the idea of downing a plate of garden pests, think again. For snails have come out of their shells and are basking in the glory of being the new star superfood.

And here are seven reasons why snails should be blazing a trail to your plate.

1. Protein
Snails are low in calories and high in protein. A 3-ounce portion of snails – served plain – contains just 76 calories, or about 4 percent of the calories you're allowed to eat in a 2,000-calorie diet. For that calorie investment, you'll get 14 grams of protein. Like any other animal-derived protein, the protein in snails is complete – which means it contains each amino acid you need to get from your diet.

Protein is essential for building and repairing muscle, and is also better at filling you up than carbs and fat. Many people look to seafood as an easy source of protein, but actually, snails have more. Why not try something new to get the protein you need?

2. Iron
In addition to getting protein for your calorie investment, you'll get dietary iron. Snails are also a good source of iron, essential for building red blood cells and carrying energy around the body. A lack of iron can lead to extreme fatigue and anaemia.

An essential mineral, iron makes up a key part of your blood, and helps your blood carry oxygen throughout your body. Iron is also important for your active lifestyle because it supports energy production, and iron is also crucial for immune health.

A serving of snails has about 3 milligrams of iron, which covers between 17 and 38 percent of the iron you need for the day.

3. Vitamin B12
Often cited as the ‘energy vitamin’, B12 is needed for making red blood cells, keeping the nervous system healthy, releasing energy from the food we eat and processing folic acid. Luckily, snails have lots of it.

4. Magnesium
Snails are also a good source of magnesium, which our bodies need to maintain a normal blood pressure, strengthen bones and also keep your heartbeat regular.

5. Selenium
We don’t need much selenium in our bodies, but we do need some to keep a healthy immune system and to protect cells against damage. And yes, snails contain selenium.

6. Omega-3
Ah, the much-feted, heart-loving fatty acids. “Snails also supply a little Omega-3,” says Hobson, “which is good news for your heart.”

Snail contains Omega-3 fatty acids 218mg, Total Omega-6 fatty 17.0mg. American Heart Association (AHA) has recommended that a person must meet 5-10 percent of daily calories from omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 needs for healthy adults is 1-3 grams / day.

7. A Boost of Zinc
Speaking of immune health, snails also enhance your immunity because of their zinc content. Zinc's most important role in your body is making up the structure of various proteins and enzymes – and it's so important to the function of immune proteins that immune dysfunction is one of the tell-tale signs of a zinc deficiency. A serving of snails provides 0.9 milligrams of zinc – between 8 and 11 percent of your daily needs.

The Merciful Merchant has nutritious snails for your healthy living in tens, hundreds and thousands.