Health Benefits of Shrimp
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Health Benefits of Shrimp
The word 'Shrimp' is used to refer to one of the crustacean species. These species are found in aquatic habitats around the world. Shrimps are eaten and enjoyed in various cultures and are one of the most eaten seafood. The shrimps are of multiple types and sizes. This funny-looking thing, when added to your diet, can do tons of good for your body.
Shrimp, whether boiled, steamed, fried, or baked, makes a delicious meal, which is everyone's favorite. Like other kinds of seafood, shrimps can also be regarded as 'Superfood' in terms of health benefits. Shrimp is loaded with nutrients like protein, iron, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, selenium, iodine, and vitamin B12. Shrimp has a bad reputation because of the high cholesterol content; however, its nutritional values are enough to outlook this demerit.
Types of Shrimp
There are hundreds of kinds of shrimps available, but some of them are commercially available. The most common types include:
- White shrimps
- Pink shrimp
- Rock shrimp
- Brown shrimp
- Royal Red shrimp
- Tiger shrimp
Improves Cognition
Shrimps are high in iron, a significant constituent in hemoglobin that transfers oxygen to other tissues in the body. The use of iron can help to achieve increased oxygen supply to the muscles. That will ensure stamina and power and enhance the oxygen flow to your brain. Hence, it improves learning and concentration. Carotenoids found in the shrimp improves your memory and reduces the risks of brain diseases. The shrimps also contain iodine, which enables your body to generate thyroid hormones, which in turn, helps in brain development. Also, omega three fatty acids help to strengthen your brain, protecting it from Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, tryptophan in the shrimps are mood boosters and helps people with anxiety and aggression issues.
Weight Loss
Shrimps are low in calories and carbs and are ideal for those who are following a low carb diet. They are rich in protein and vitamin D and thus, provides a healthy food option for people who are trying to lose weight. Zinc in the shrimps helps to increase your leptin levels, which discourages overeating and unnecessary cravings. The shrimps are rich in nutrients that meet all your body needs without any risk of weight gain.
Heart Health
Shrimps are a little high in cholesterol that causes the misconception that it is terrible for heart health. This is not true. Research has shown that dietary cholesterol is only harmful to rare people. The fibrinolytic enzyme in the shrimps acts as a powerful agent against cardiovascular disease. Omega-three fatty acids increase good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol.
Strengthen your Bones
This seafood can help to combat the degeneration of bones due to protein and vitamins, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D, and magnesium. The deficiency in these nutrients can lead to deterioration of bone quality, mass, and strength and, ultimately, osteoporosis. The combination of vitamin D and phosphorous ensures the maximum absorption of calcium in your bones. Adding the shrimps to your diet will slow down the aging of bones, keeping them healthy.
Eye Health
Shrimps can delay age-related macular degeneration. The astaxanthin proves to be a powerful player in maintaining eye health. It protects your retina from the damage caused by exposure to sunlight radiations. In addition to that, the astaxanthin can help to relieve stress in the eyes due to excessive use of gadgets.
Fights Cancer
The antioxidants and omega-three fatty acids may help to ward off cancer. The components of shrimps reduce the growth of cancer-causing cells. The lipids in shrimp are chemo-preventative. Chemo-preventatives are natural compounds that inhibit carcinogen processes.
Hair Health
The minerals in shrimp also contribute to hair health. The deficiency of zinc is the primary cause of hair loss. Zinc plays a crucial role in the development of new cells. So, if you are witnessing less hair growth and more fall, you can eat shrimp and gain healthy, beautiful hair.
Skin Health
The sunlight is the major cause of aging of the skin. If you go in sunlight with no protection, it can cause wrinkles, spots, and sunburn in no time. By adding shrimp in your diet, you can slow down the aging of your skin while beautifying it. Also, the astaxanthin can reduce the skin damage from UV radiations and thus, reducing the risk of skin cancer.
Women's Health
The omega-three fatty acids in shrimp can help to reduce cramps and joint pains during menstruation and improves the blood supply to the reproductive organs. These can also minimize moodiness, irritability, fatigue, and cravings during the menstrual and menopausal periods.
Ways of Consuming
The fresh shrimps may be hard to peel, but these are worth it when it comes to enjoying them in a meal. They are several ways of eating shrimps.
Shrimp Tacos
It is impossible to talk about shrimps without mentioning the shrimp tacos. You can cook cut and deveined shrimps and add your favorite seasoning and spices and enjoy. Do not forget mayo and guacamole!
Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp cocktail is the easiest way of eating shrimp. Just grab your shrimp, dip, and eat. The sauce can be easily made at home.
Shrimp Salad
Shrimp salads are best when it comes to a healthy diet. You can cook shrimp by boiling or steaming and add it to your salad with your favorite veggies and dressing.
Grilled Shrimp
You can quickly marinate the shrimp with your favorite spices and lemon juice. Then grill it. You can eat it as it is or adds to the side of rice, pasta, or salads.
Shrimp Soups
Shrimp soups and curry are great to satisfy your hunger while cozying you up.
Fried Shrimps
The crispy fried shrimps are so yummy and easy to make. They serve you as a snack or fast food. Shrimps can be quickly fried at home. Take deveined shrimps, dip them in buttermilk first and then coat with seasoned flour or bread crumbs; you can repeat if you want a thicker coating. Fry in the heated oil and enjoy it.
Tips for Buying
For your convenience, shrimps are available as fresh, packed, and deveined. You must ensure the quality before buying.
Check the Appearance
Make sure the store is clean and disinfected. Fresh shrimps usually are white, pink, grayish, or colorless. If you detect any blackish spots or melanosis, never buy them. Check the label to confirm that the shrimp is from a safe source. If you are purchasing the processed ones, ensure that they are properly packed.
Check for Smell
Fresh seafood should have a salty, sea odor in it. However, if you sense any pungent smell, the shrimp is not fresh anymore, so do not buy it. Freeze them asap after purchasing, do not let it defrost. Defrost and use it at once.
Risks of Eating Shrimps
Food Allergies
Many people are allergic to seafood. Different types of seafood, including shrimp, may cause allergic reactions in people. Be careful whenever you try a new kind of fish or increase its amount in your diet. Certain types of protein, like tropomyosin, and hemocyanin, may cause intolerance in some people. The allergy symptoms may include digestion problems, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and skin allergies. In some severe cases, the shrimp allergy can result in anaphylactic reactions such as seizure attacks. If you are allergic to seafood and shrimp, you better avoid it completely.
A Concentrated Amount of Purines
The seafood, including shrimps, contains a high amount of purines. Although purines are an essential part of your body's chemistry, an excess amount can be hazardous, especially in people with gout. The purines break down into uric acid when the cells die. The levels of purines in shrimp are safe for most people, but if you suffer from diseases like gout due to high uric acid, you must be cautious.
Farming Hazards
The imported shrimps are usually farm-raised ones. These are grown in industrial tanks. The problem with farm-raised shrimps is that they are treated with mediation and antibiotics to prevent diseases. In this regard, the wildly caught shrimps are better.
Other Risks
Shrimp contains a small amount of mercury, which is dangerous for your eyes and cause allergy. The amount of mercury is small as compared to the other seafood, but still, you must balance the amount of mercury other foods to avoid any risk. The fresh shrimp may also be polluted from seawater so, check them thoroughly before buying. Even though a moderate amount of shrimp is considered safe and healthy for pregnant or lactating women.
Final Word
To conclude, shrimp has a variety of health benefits. These are loaded with minerals and antioxidants. The plus point is that they low in calories and carbs. The antioxidants and fatty acid content have tremendous effects on your brain and heart health. Moreover, they are equally useful for your hair and skin. You can form a whole variety of meals with shrimps. Shrimps can easily be added to your regimen. Sure, they are some concerns regarding the use of shrimp. Just try to buy fresh ones from a safe source. Avoid them if you have any allergies.
References
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315947#risks
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3826143/
- https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/shrimp-health-benefits#1
- http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=107