There are lots and lots of types of seafood to choose from if you get hit with a craving, including fish, squids, clams and much more. One that many people like is sea urchins, those round and thorny animals which live, of course, in the sea. They have a unique appearance which makes them a popular ingredient in various dishes. They’re also a delicious food, so it’s no wonder that many restaurants serve them. They have a lot of surprising health benefits, too. If you want to know more about these amazing sea creatures, give this article a read!
What are Sea Urchins?
Sea urchins are actually a somewhat easy-to-recognize kind of marine animal belonging to the animal group known as echinoderms. There are approximately 200 species of this sea creature in oceans all over the world, but they typically live in temperate waters on the rocky bottom of the sea or near coral reefs.
Like many other sea creatures, sea urchins face many threats, some of which include overfishing and ocean pollution. Because of the extreme decrease in their total number, they’ve now been placed on the threatened species list, meaning they are in danger of being extinct in the near future.
The size of the sea urchin depends primarily on its species, but they are usually 1.2 to 3.9 inches in diameter. They are globe-shaped and protected by many long spines. Their bodies have outspread symmetry, which means every sea urchin can be separated into five even parts.
There are many types of sea urchins whose spikes are packed with venom, including the flower urchin. Despite this, there are a number of enemies which threaten them, including sunflower stars, crabs, fish, birds, otters and even us humans. Sea urchins are actually omnivores, meaning they are capable of eating both animals and plants.
Nutritional Value of Sea Urchins
10 grams of sea urchins have:
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Carbohydrates | 0.33 grams |
| Fat | 0.48 grams |
| Protein | 1.6 grams |
| Energy | 12 Cal |
| Vitamin C | 0.3 milligrams |
| Pantothenic Acid | 0.07 milligrams |
| Folate | 36 micrograms |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.13 micrograms |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.02 milligrams |
| Niacin | 0.11 milligrams |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.04 milligrams |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.01 milligrams |
| Vitamin K | 2.7 micrograms |
| Vitamin E | 0.36 milligrams |
| Vitamin A | 5.8 micrograms |
| Manganese | 0.01 milligrams |
| Copper | 0.01 milligrams |
| Zinc | 0.2 milligrams |
| Iron | 0.09 milligrams |
| Phosphorus | 39 milligrams |
| Magnesium | 2.7 milligrams |
| Calcium | 1.2 milligrams |
| Potassium | 34 milligrams |
| Sodium | 22 milligrams |
Characteristics of Sea Urchins
Also known as the hedgehogs of the sea, sea urchins are round with spines. They come in different colors depending on their species, ranging from green and olive to black, blue, red, brown and purple. Just like many other creatures, they have feet, organs, a mouth, an anus, a spine and reproductive organs..
Sea urchin roe is a popular dish made from sea urchins. It can be described as the following:
- Taste: clean and sweet
- Color: orange, mustard or gold
- Scent: fresh ocean smell
- Texture: buttery, light, firm and creamy
Health Benefits of Sea Urchins
Here are some of the most surprising health benefits of sea urchins:
- Enhances virility: one of the best health benefits of sea urchins is perfect for those suffering from virility problems. Sea urchin roes help improve blood circulation, including in reproductive organs. Therefore, it is capable of improving sexual arousal.
- Good source of calories: sea urchins are essential in giving the body fuel for energy due to the healthy level of calories in them. They also help improve organ function and promote a much healthier heart.
- Helps boost immunity: the vitamin A content of sea urchins provides beta-carotene nourishment, which improves the immune system.
- Rich in vitamin C: the vitamin C content of sea urchins is beneficial in fighting off different conditions.
- Helps prevent hemorrhoids and other fiber-related illnesses: there is an ample amount of fiber in sea urchins, which makes them effective in averting hemorrhoids as well as some other illnesses related to fiber deficiency.
We now know that sea urchins are really amazing, oozing with so many vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, the health benefits of sea urchins are wide-ranging. However, we must still bear in mind that they are already on the list of threatened species. We must control our consumption to be able for them to multiply and live a longer life span. This is not just for them, but for us as well – for the balance of our ecosystem.
