Is it good to eat shrimp shells?

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1. Benefits of shrimp and shellfish

Here are some benefits of shellfish that you should know:

1.1. Support weight loss

Shellfish are low in calories but high in lean protein and healthy fats that make them a great addition to any diet.
Protein-rich foods help you feel fuller longer, limiting overeating. This will help you lose weight and maintain weight. One study in overweight adults found that those who ate more omega-3 fatty acids during a calorie-restricted diet felt significantly more full after a meal than those who ate fewer omega-3s during the day. same diet.

1.2. Promotes heart health

Shellfish contains many nutrients that may promote heart health, including omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12. Several studies have linked eating omega-3 fatty acids from fish and shellfish such as shrimp with a reduced risk of heart disease. This is because omega-3s have anti-inflammatory effects.
Furthermore, inadequate intake of vitamin B12 is associated with high blood homocysteine ​​levels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Therefore, eating foods rich in vitamin B12 may protect against heart disease.

1.3. Good for brain

The nutrients in shrimp are not only good for the heart but also important for brain health. In fact, several studies have identified inadequate blood levels of vitamins B12 and omega-3 as a risk factor for problems with brain development in children and healthy brain function in adults.

1.4. Rich in immune-boosting nutrients

Certain types of shellfish are high in immune-boosting zinc. This mineral is necessary for the development of cells that make up the body's immune defenses.
Therefore, regularly eating shellfish such as: oysters, clams, mussels, lobsters and crabs... improves zinc status and overall immune function.

2. What is the effect of shrimp shells?

As can be seen, eating shrimp brings many health benefits. However, shrimp shells are not recommended to eat. There are many misconceptions about shrimp shells high in calcium. Others wonder if shrimp shells have calcium?
According to experts, shrimp shells have almost no or very little calcium. Most of the calcium in shrimp comes from the meat. The hardness of the shrimp shell comes from the chitin component. This is a form of polymer that strengthens the outer shells of some animals.
In addition, if you eat shrimp shells a lot, it can cause allergic reactions or food poisoning. Some signs that you have an allergy are:
Vomiting and diarrhea Stomach pain and cramps Swelling of throat, tongue or lips Honeycomb Difficulty breathing In some cases, people with shrimp shell allergy can suffer from life-threatening anaphylaxis requiring immediate treatment
Therefore, to the question: “Do shrimp shells have calcium?”, the answer is no. In addition, you should not eat some other parts of shrimp such as the head and the black line on the back of the shrimp. By:
The head is the waste container of this animal. This part contains many heavy metals that will be harmful to human health, especially in pregnant women and young children. Toxins of heavy metals such as arsenic cause birth defects in the fetus or miscarriage, food poisoning. The black line on the back of the shrimp is the digestive tract of the shrimp. It is not harmful to health, but to enhance food hygiene, you should remove the sugar from shrimp only when processing and consuming. To sum up, shrimp is a healthy food, packed with lean protein, healthy fats, calcium, and micronutrients. However, shrimp shells do not have much calcium, even causing many health risks. Therefore, you should not eat shrimp shells and believe in inaccurate information such as: shrimp shells are high in calcium...

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Reference source: healthline.com