Crab is a popular seafood, we know that for a fact. Many restaurants around the world serve the seafood at a high priced. It’s no wonder that it’s hailed as one of the most sought-after seafoods in the world, but aside from that, crab is also home to a myriad of health benefits. If you want to learn more, keep reading!
What are Crabs?
Scientifically speaking, crabs are crustaceans from the order Brachyura. They have two claws and a hard exoskeleton. There is a big distinction between land-dwelling crabs and aquatic ones, but the Portunus trituberculatus are the type that often end up on our plate. About 300,000 tones of this kind of crab is caught each year, which represents 20% of all crabs caught and consumed in the whole world.
Crabs are one of the most abundantly available sea creatures, and while there is a wide variety in existence, only some of them are edible. Even fewer types are raised in hatcheries for more controlled cultivation.
To eat the meat of the crab, you have to break and separate its exoskeleton. It may surprise you how much meat you can get out of them. Crab can be found on the menus of lots of restaurants, but it is more than just a delicious food. Crab meat is full of essential nutrients, minerals and fats that help the body function normally.
Nutritional Facts of Crabs
We eat about 45% of a crab’s body, and even just this little bit has a lot of nutrients. The table below will tell you more.
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Vitamin | 0 milligrams |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.05 milligrams |
| Vitamin A | 200 IU |
| Iron | 1 milligram |
| Phosphorus | 250 grams |
| Calcium | 210 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 14.1 grams |
| Fat | 3.8 grams |
| Protein | 13.8 grams |
| Energy | 151 KCal |
Additionally, crabs also offer vitamin B12, saturated fat, zinc, copper, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.
Health Benefits of Crabs
Here are some of the most astounding health benefits of crabs:
- Helps increase blood circulation: the copper content of crabs is important for organ function, because it increases the circulation.
- Helps detoxify the body: the phosphorus levels in crabs help improve kidney function, which speeds up the release of toxins from the body and improves overall metabolic productivity.
- Helps boost the immune system: the selenium content of crabs stimulates immune activity and acts as an antioxidant that can seek out and neutralize free radicals.
- Helps reduce inflammation: there are various minerals and nutrients in crabs that can get rid of inflammation, including selenium, copper and omega-3 fatty acids. Those suffering from gout, arthritis or even gastrointestinal inflammation may find the food to be really helpful.
- Helps protect the heart: the high omega-3 fatty acid content in crabs protects the heart, reduces blood pressure, lowers strain on the heart and avert the development of atherosclerosis. This may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Helps boost mental activity: there are lots of nutrients in crabs that are essential for mental health. This is one of the best health benefits of crabs.
Cautions for Eating Crabs
The benefits offered by crabs are plentiful, but it’s important to remember that they also contain a lot of cholesterol and sodium. If you have a cardiovascular illness or high cholesterol, eating crab regularly may do you more harm than good. Always speak to your doctor before making any major dietary changes.
