Shrimp – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Low in calories and high in protein, shrimp has been a go-to ingredient for many healthy eaters. It has been enjoyed as a seafood dish since the 7th century, according to TheSpruce.com. In the United States, it is the most popular shellfish, with a generous harvest of over 650 million pounds a year — the biggest amount across the world. In addition to that, the country imports an additional 200 million pounds of shrimp a year, to keep up with demands.

Shrimp is available throughout the year. It is a common ingredient in southern U.S cooking, as well as in Asian cuisine.

List of known nutrients

According to WHFoods.com:

• Choline
• Copper
• Iodine
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Pantothenic acid
• Phosphorus
• Protein
• Selenium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B3
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin E
• Zinc

Medicinal uses for shrimp

Shrimp is one of the most nutritious ingredients you can include in your daily diet. It is particularly beneficial for heart health, OrganicFacts.net said. The ingredient contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that remove cholesterol in the blood stream thereby preventing heart attacks and stroke. Meanwhile, other forms of shrimp, such as fermented shrimp paste, contain enzymes that are used for therapy to break up blood clots that have formed in vessels.

The seafood is a great weight loss aid. It provides a substantial amount of protein and vitamin D without the added carbohydrates, making it perfect for people who want to trim down. In addition, shrimp contains a good amount of zinc, which increases the hormone leptin in the body. Leptin is involved in fat storage, appetite control, and the use of energy in the body. Increased leptin helps curb overeating and cravings. Shrimp is also a rich source of iodine. Iodine helps regulate the amount of energy the body uses up at rest, and also stimulates thyroid activity, which can help people lose or maintain weight.

Shrimp has an anti-aging effect because it contains a carotenoid called astaxanthin, which reduces skin damage sustained from UVA rays and sunlight.

Shrimp can prevent age-related macular degeneration through a heparin-like compound associated with the treatment of the disease. At the same, the astaxanthin provides relief from eye fatigue for those who spend long hours in front of a computer screen.

The substantial amount of zinc present in shrimp can prevent hair loss, regulating the maintenance and stimulating the production of hair and skin cells.

Shrimp is beneficial for the skeletal system as well. It contains generous amounts of protein as well as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium — all of which can stop bone degradation manifested in conditions such as osteoporosis.

The seafood also benefits the brain as it is a generous source of iron, a mineral that facilitates better oxygen flow to the brain. The effect is improved memory, comprehension, and concentration. At the same time, the astaxanthin content has been associated with improved memory, better survival of brain cells, and reduced risk of brain inflammation. The iodine in shrimp also promotes brain development in infancy, for babies still in their mothers’ womb.

The antioxidants present in shrimp promote cancer prevention, along with selenium, a mineral that has been associated with reduced risk of cancer, particularly in the prostate and the lungs.

Shrimp can also be a remedy for menstrual pain, due to its omega-3 content. The omega-3s promote better blood flow to the reproductive organs.

Shrimp may also be efficient against Alzheimer’s disease.

Body systems supported by shrimp

Here are the body systems that benefit from shrimp, according to DrHealthBenefits.com:

• Bones
• Brain
• Cardiovascular system
• Eyes
• Skin and hair

Ways to use shrimp

The meat of the shrimp can be cooked in a variety of ways with each method lending it a different flavor. It also goes with many various ingredients, so getting a regular serving of shrimp can definitely be exciting. Recipes recommended by Delish.com include adding shrimp to dried rice, including it in salad, doing a curry, adding it to various pastas, grilling it, and even having it raw as sushi. It is important to choose fresh shrimp from a reputable source, to ensure that you don’t experience any digestive issues when you eat it.

Where to learn more

• Low-calorie delicious summer foods
• Eight Natural Food Sources of Iodine
• Grapes and Shrimp With Honey: A Perfect Pain Killer Recipe
• Healthy Gluten Free Recipes
• Medical Breakthrough Uses Chitosan From Shrimp to Create Bandages That Stop Bleeding in 30 Seconds

Summary

Shrimp can prevent heart attack and stroke.

Shrimp is an effective weight loss aid.

Shrimp can prevent or slow skin aging.

Shrimp protects against age-related macular degeneration and alleviates eye fatigue.

Shrimp can be used to treat or delay hair loss.

Shrimp can stop osteoporosis.

Shrimp boosts brain function, and can also improve brain development in unborn infants.

Shrimp can prevent cancer, particularly prostate and lung cancer.

Shrimp can alleviate menstrual pain.

Sources include:

TheSpruce.com
WHFoods.com
OrganicFacts.net
DrHealthBenefits.com
Delish.com