Shrimp has been a delicious type of seafood that has been consumed for thousands of years, popularized for its excellent source of nutrition and health benefits.
It contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, sodium, phosphorus as well as Vitamins A, B and E, which makes it a great source of important nutrients to function properly. It’s also low in fat and contains zero carbohydrates, which makes it the perfect choice when you’re watching your intake of starch and sugar.
They can be grilled, fried, and even steamed, and can be served with just about anything. Think shrimp curry, shrimp kebabs and lemon butter shrimp with chips: there are so many ways to include them in your diet.
Here are 12 health benefits of shrimp:
1. It Reduces Caloric Load
Every 100 grams of shrimp offers only 99 calories, which makes it an excellent choice if you’re trying to reduce your overall caloric intake. They are tasty and filling, and will help you to shed some extra layers while you’re at it.
2. It Promotes a Leaner Composition
Shrimp contains zero fat, which helps to reduce your fat intake and promotes a leaner, healthier body. It does contain a decent dose of cholesterol, but it’s the kind that helps to create a balance between good and bad cholesterol.
3. It Regulates Cholesterol Levels 
Over the years shrimp has received a lot of attention for its high cholesterol load: it meets 63% of the daily allowance per 100 grams. However, studies have proven that it’s not the bad kind of cholesterol that risks heart disease, but rather forms part of the good side of cholesterol, which actually creates balance and better health.
4. It Reduces Blood Pressure
Sodium is not good for those with hypertension, which makes it important to choose low sodium foods that are full of nutrition. Shrimp offers exactly that, with only 4% of the recommended allowance of sodium per 100 grams.
5. It’s a Natural Diuretic
Being a dense source of protein, as well as being high in potassium makes shrimp the perfect solution to water retention and excess fluid in the body. It stimulates the release of excess toxins and fluid to give you a lighter, healthier body.
6. It Promotes a Balanced Blood Sugar
Shrimp contains absolutely no carbohydrates, which means that blood sugar levels will never fluctuate after a shrimp meal. This makes it an excellent choice in preventing or managing diabetes, as well as giving stable, long term energy.
7. It Keeps Your Muscles Strong
48% of shrimp is pure protein, giving your muscles the amino acids that they need to repair and build. This promotes a leaner, stronger composition, and supports speedy recovery after heavy workouts.
8. It Keeps Your Bones Healthy 
Shrimp is a rich source of calcium, which is an essential mineral that has been proven to strengthen bones and teeth significantly. It also contains magnesium, which further supports better calcium absorption.
9. It Gives You More Vitality
Iron boosts red blood cell counts, which are the oxygen transporters in our body. By eating more shrimp, you will be getting iron, and the increased oxygen supply has been proven to vitalize cells, boost brain power and give your entire body a health kick.
10. It Prevents Heart Disease
Shrimp contains Omega 3 fatty acids, potassium, iron and magnesium, which work together to prevent heart disease. By eating more shrimp you will be reducing blood pressure, preventing oxidative artery stress, improving blood circulation and strengthening your entire cardiovascular system.
11. It Reduces the Risk of Getting Cancer
Selenium and powerful carotenoids in shrimp have been linked to reducing certain types of cancer, particularly breast, prostate and lung cancer. Selenium is an incredible antioxidant that prevents diseased cells from remaining unhealthy, as well as slowing tumor growth and boosting overall immunity.
12. It Gives You Longer, Stronger Hair
The zinc in shrimp serves as an excellent supplement for healthy hair growth, stimulating hair follicles and reducing hair loss significantly.
Disclaimer: Shrimp contains a substance known as purine, which makes it a good idea to eat in moderation to avoid developing kidney stones, even though purine sensitivity is rare. Shrimp is also linked to food allergies, so if you’re new at it rather have a small portion and monitor your body’s reaction.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/coronary_ad.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrimp_%28food%29
https://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/ucm393070.htm
