Does shrimp shell provide calcium?

Many elderly people suffer from severe calcium deficiency in their bodies, so they always have no strength to walk and are prone to falling or fractures. Therefore, the elderly should eat more foods high in calcium, such as milk, hazelnuts, soy products, sesame seeds, etc. In addition, seafood is also rich in calcium, especially shrimp. We know that shrimp meat is very rich in calcium, but can shrimp shells also provide calcium? Let’s take a look together.

1. What are the main components of shrimp shells?

Generally speaking, shrimp shells have a relatively high nutritional value. The nutrients in shrimp shells include a large amount of calcium and high-quality protein, which have anti-cancer effects. The nutritional value of all shrimp shells is very high. Except for the shells of lobsters, which cannot be eaten, the shells of some small shrimps can be eaten directly.

2. What is the nutritional value of shrimp shells?

1. The general chemical composition of shrimp shells is composed of amino acids, fatty acids and mineral elements.

2. The shrimp shells are rich in protein, ash and chitin, which are 5.22%, 5.30% and 6.67% respectively based on wet weight.

3. Shrimp shells contain a wide variety of amino acids and are rich in mineral elements, including 8 essential amino acids, 4 flavor-forming amino acids, and 7 trace elements that are beneficial to the human body.

4. Shrimp shells are rich in oleic acid, linoleic acid, DHA and EPA, and the unsaturated fatty acids account for 55.57% and 48.42% of the total free fatty acids, respectively.

5. The calcium content in shrimp shells is extremely high, accounting for 19.6% of the dry weight of the raw material.

3. Shrimp shells have limited calcium supplementation effects

Although shrimp shells contain a high amount of calcium, the absorption rate is not ideal. The actual calcium supplement effect is very limited. Even the softer shrimp shells cannot be completely chewed by human teeth. After being acted upon by gastric acid in the stomach, only a small part can be dissolved.

4. How to eat shrimp shells to supplement calcium

It is recommended to grind the shrimp shells into shrimp shell powder and then combine it with the intake of vitamin D, which will have a better calcium supplement effect.

5. How to make your own shrimp shell powder

1. Peel the shrimp shells.

2. Dry the shrimp shells or use kitchen paper to absorb excess moisture. Be careful not to remove the shrimp head, but keep the shrimp's claws and tail.

3. Spread the shrimp shells that are no longer dripping water flat on a plate without covering it with anything. Microwave on high heat for 2 minutes and take it out. Turn it over. Another 2 minutes, remove.

4. After about two operations, the shrimp shells will be fully cooked and very crisp. If you feel that two times is not enough, add more until the shrimp shell becomes red and crispy enough to break with a pinch.

5. Put the baked shrimp shells into a food processor. Grind according to the instructions of each food processor. Use a powder blender at the highest setting for 1 minute until it is very fine. Once blended, bottle and store for later use.

6. Negative effects of excessive calcium supplementation

If calcium ion intake exceeds the body's carrying capacity, it can easily lead to kidney stones. For the elderly, it can easily lead to bone hyperplasia. It can be seen that the more calcium-supplementing foods you eat, the better. We need to do it in moderation and not blindly pursue quantity. Doing so will only harm the body.