Shrimp is one of the most abundant forms of seafood on the ocean floor, and it remains one of the most favorite types of seafood in the Southern United States, as well as the rest of the world.
It is packed with nutrients with fewer calories per serving, and it also provides essential nutrients like iodine, which is in short supply in other food items. But is it truly healthy?
Let’s look at the scientific data and the facts, and determine if there are shrimp benefits for the skin, and how many calories in shrimp there are per serving. Is shrimp good for weight loss, and does overeating shrimp have side effects? Let’s find out in today’s definitive Shrimp Blog.
Shrimp Nutrition
As one of the most commonly consumed seafood in the world, it’s not surprising that people are interested to know if shrimp is truly healthy or not.
The quick answer to this question is yes, it is healthy for you. A single serving of shrimp contains vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin A, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, selenium, copper, potassium, and even zinc.
These are all powerful micronutrients that the body needs to function normally. No wonder seafood has always been associated with high performance (either in bed or in athletics) – seafood like shrimp provides viable amounts of trace nutrients for healthy growth, development, and homeostasis.
But what about shrimp’s high cholesterol content? Shrimp’s high cholesterol can be offset by moderating your consumption of the seafood, and by adding more fiber to your diet.
These are the keystones of a balanced diet, anyway.
The most recent dietary guidelines in the United States indicate that people should remain vigilant about the amount of cholesterol they consume. The downsides of consuming shrimp are balanced by the fact that the body also needs minimal amounts of dietary cholesterol for some physiological functions.
The ideal intake is no more than 270 mg per day. This is the maximum amount, and if you can go lower, then that’s better. However, it should be noted that people respond to cholesterol differently, and of course, those who have sedentary lifestyles will be more at risk for developing complications from having high cholesterol than people who are fitter and are more active.
Is shrimp healthier than chicken?
If we were to base our answer on the cholesterol content of the food item, then the chicken is slightly healthier than shrimp. However, in terms of nutrient density, shrimp trumps farmed chicken by a mile. In this respect, we can also say that if you are trying to lose weight and build muscle at the same time by working out regularly, supplementing your diet with seafood like shrimp is a good idea.
The Health Benefits of Shrimp
Shrimp has antioxidants
If vegetables have flavanols, shrimp has an antioxidant called astaxanthin. Astaxanthin ends up in the small bodies of shrimp because shrimp consume algae, which naturally produce astaxanthin.
Since algae comprise a considerable part of the shrimp diet, the antioxidant is abundant in this seafood. Shrimp shave so much astaxanthin in their bodies that the reddish color we see when cooking shrimp is due to this compound.
Astaxanthin reduces tissue inflammation in the body by preventing the byproducts of cellular metabolism from damaging the cells. These chemical byproducts are called free radicals, and they can cause severe damage to the body if your diet doesn’t take care of them naturally.
Some studies have also shown that eating shrimp more often can decrease your risk of developing cardiac complications down the line. This is attributed to shrimp’s ability to increase good cholesterol in the body. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of shrimp can help improve circulations by keeping your blood vessels healthy.
Shrimp might prevent cancer
Shrimp is a natural source of selenium, which is said to have natural anti-cancer properties. Selenium is also a powerful and natural antioxidant that can potentially help prevent cancers, like prostate cancer, skin cancer, and even lung cancer.
Additionally, it has been found that some chronic and degenerative conditions like Crohn’s disease are caused by low levels of selenium in the body.
Selenium supplementation is often indicated for people who are suffering from clinical signs due to low selenium levels. Individuals suffering from conditions like asthma and reproductive issues may want to check out this nutrient because it might help.
Shrimp can help keep you young
The antioxidant content of shrimp is compelling that it not only promotes cellular regeneration in individual cells but can also help reduce visible signs of aging on the skin.
And it makes sense: when cells do not age prematurely (including skin cells), then signs like fine lines and wrinkling in different areas of the face will also be reduced. It’s not magic, and this veritable fountain of youth can be yours if you eat seafood regularly.
Additionally, eating shrimp can help reduce the effects of UV radiation on the skin.
Again, it’s all about balance. If you have been avoiding high cholesterol food for some time now, eating some shrimp will probably not harm your health. Find that sweet spot in your diet and load up on the nutrient-dense food like shrimp!
Shrimp can beef up your immune system
In the time of COVID-19, we need every bit of protection that we can get. The body can naturally create vitamin D from exposure to the sun, but since people are on lockdown in many parts of the world, they need to consume food that is naturally rich in vitamin D.
Vitamin D is one of the more heroic vitamins because it is linked with a robust immune system. There is even evidence that higher vitamin D consumption can help the body fight off the novel coronavirus.
Shrimp contains lots of protein
Are you excited to build lean muscle? If so, you need food items like shrimp that provide protein while boosting your store of vitamins and minerals. Choose your food wisely!
