January 30, 2024 | 3:15pm PT
I often read that shrimp shells are rich in calcium, so I try to eat them all the time. But should you eat shrimp shells? (Hoang, 40 years old, Hanoi)
answer:
Many people do not know whether shrimp shell contains more calcium than shrimp meat. Even if you don't like shrimp shells, many people try to eat them, believing that calcium is mainly concentrated in this part. Some parents feed their young children shrimp shells in the hopes that they will get more calcium and grow taller.
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A dish made with shrimp. Illustration photo by Freepik |
Shrimp shells contain less calcium than commonly thought. Shrimp shells are primarily composed of chitin, a substance that makes up the shells of many animals and is often not easily digested. This is one reason why you should not eat shrimp shells if you have digestive problems, especially if you are sick. Consuming too much shrimp shell can cause discomfort, interfere with nutrient absorption, and pose a choking hazard for young children.
However, shrimp contains large amounts of calcium. This nutrient is found primarily in meat, legs, and nails. The organic calcium contained in shrimp is beneficial to our body. Shrimp meat contains valuable calcium and is also rich in vitamin D. Shrimp is also rich in magnesium and phosphorus in a balanced ratio, which increases the body's absorption of calcium.
Therefore, it is common to avoid the shells of shrimp and eat only the flesh.
Dr. Nguyen Duy Tinh
Former lecturer at Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology
