Of all the seafood in the world, shrimp is among the most popular. In fact, shrimp is one of the most highly traded seafoods in various parts of the globe. However, it is very important to know how the shrimp we eat is processed. Shrimp are now impacted by various problems, including environmental factors, antibiotics and disease. Regardless, the health benefits of shrimps are still something to look out for. If you want to know more about this seafood, give this article a read.
What are Shrimp?
Actually, the term shrimp is a broad classification covering hundreds of small marine crustacean species all over the world. Shrimps are part of two groups, Dendrobranchiata and Caridea, and are identifiable by their long whiskers, spindly legs, small, strong tails, and stalk eyes. They are also called prawns. As implied by their name, shrimp are small, averaging about 1-3 centimeters long. However, most commercially viable species tend to be larger, even growing up to 25 centimeters. Although there are many different species, most have the same genetic makeup.
The main bit of the shrimp we eat is the tail, and there are thousands of shrimp farms around the world to cater to this demand, although many shrimp are still caught in the wild. Shrimp is the most commonly consumed seafood in the world, but this has led to various concerns such as environmental threats of pollution and overfishing and human rights abuse at processing plants and farms. This is why it’s important to know how it’s processed.
Nutritional Value of Shrimp
As stated earlier, the major source of food in shrimp is their meaty tail. However, in some cultures or cuisines, people eat other parts of the animal as well. Although they are small, they can provide a lot of nutrition to the diet.
For those looking for a way to cut carbs from their diet, shrimp is the best option. Why? It has zero carbs and is relatively low in calories. Shrimp are also oozing with protein and have a high water content. But what really makes them beneficial is their high vitamin and nutrient content. Did you know that you can get your daily mineral intake of various nutrients from shrimp? Well, you can! In fact, they are oozing with potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, sodium, calcium and iron. They also have vitamins B12, B6, E, and A, as well as niacin, riboflavin, thiamin and iodine.
Health Benefits of Shrimps
Here are some of the most astounding health benefits of shrimp:
- Helps reduce menstrual pain: there is good amount of cholesterol in shrimp, making them beneficial in balancing out the negative effects of omega-6 fatty acids. This helps alleviate menstrual cramps and promote a much healthier blood flow.
- Helps prevent cancer: the carotenoid content of shrimp helps reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Moreover, shrimp also have ample amounts of selenium, which is effective in lowering cancer levels, including lung and prostate cancer. This is one of the best health benefits of shrimp.
- Helps improve brain health: the rich levels of iron help the bonding process of hemoglobin, improving brain health.
- Helps strengthen bones: the vitamin and protein content help prevent bone degeneration and various bone-related illnesses.
- Helps get rid of cardiovascular illnesses: the fibrinolytic enzymes in fermented shrimp are beneficial in preventing various cardiovascular diseases.
- Helps with weight loss: the protein and vitamin D content of shrimp help with weight loss.
Shrimp is not just a delicious seafood. Its health benefits are enticing and extravagant, so adding it to your diet is a good idea.
