When it comes to seafood, prawns are always at the top of the food pyramid. Prawns, on the other hand, are never considered fish and are classified as arthropods. 

There are no such things as prawns. Prawn is an aquatic crustacean with 10 legs. There are many shrimp recipes around the world. Prawns are very popular in Asia. Prawn is cultivated in many countries in Asia such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Many of us are familiar with the deliciousness of prawns, but few of us are aware of the nutritional and health advantages of consuming prawns. Today in this article, we are going to discuss some of the health benefits of eating shrimp. So let’s get started.

Amazing Health Benefits Of Prawns 

Rich in protein

Prawns have a high protein content. Eating 100 prawns gives you about 10g of protein, which is pretty good. One of the best things about seafood is that it’s delicious and it’s packed with protein. 

Protein is no more than a string of amino acids. It plays a vital role in the repair of cells and the creation of new ones. In addition, if you’re a gym-goer or a body-builder, then you already know how important protein is to your body.

Low in calories

Prawns are lower in calories than most other types of seafood. A 100g prawn is about 120 Kcal. Prawns are therefore a good choice if you are on a weight loss plan. Low-calorie foods that are high in protein and high in vitamins and minerals will help you lose weight. Prawns are another low-fat seafood option that will help you lose weight again.

Rich in Vitamin E

Prawns are rich in Vitamin E. Prawns contain 22 times more Vitamin E than cooked beef. 100 g of cooked shrimp contains 2926 µg vitamin E. Our body needs vitamin E to strengthen its immune system. Vitamin E is also known as the best vitamin for hair and skin.

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Rich in Vitamin B6 and B12

Prawns also contain high levels of vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Vitamin B6 is essential for the proper functioning of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins in the body. Vitamin B12 is involved in the production of red blood cells (RBCs) and DNA, both of which are water-soluble. Both of these vitamins can be found in certain foods. One of the foods that are rich in both B vitamins is shrimp.

Rich in trace minerals

Trace minerals are micronutrients that you need to get from food. Unlike other micronutrients, the amount of trace minerals your body needs is very low. Prawns contain trace minerals such as zinc and selenium as well as iron.

Zinc plays a vital role in the formation of DNA, which helps to sustain cell growth and repair damaged tissue.

Iron helps your body to grow and develop properly. It makes hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

Selenium, conversely, increases immunity by preventing cell damage and infection. Eating prawns will provide you with all of these trace minerals in one serving.

Contains astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a compound found in algae that shrimps consume during their lifelong love affair with algae. This compound is usually kept in the body of the shrimp even after death. A small amount of this compound remains in the body even after cooking. 

Astaxanthin plays a direct role in protecting cells from harm and increasing immunity. In addition, numerous studies have shown that astaxanthin lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, aging skin, and fatigue.

Contains Omega 3 fatty acids

Prawns have a higher cholesterol content than the average shrimp, but their healthy fat composition prevents them from increasing cholesterol levels in your body. They contain almost three times the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids as Omega-6 fatty acids.

According to studies, Omega-3-rich foods are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and hypertension. The cholesterol present in shrimp is necessary for a healthy diet.

Nutritional Information Of Prawns

Prawns contain a large amount of protein, good fats, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. They are low in calories but rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and niacin. They also contain calcium and iron, as well as vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.

The following is the approximate nutritional information for 500 grams of shrimp:

Calories – 567Kcal

Carbohydrate – 21g

Total fat – 35g

Fiber – 6g

Sugar – 9.2g

Protein – 42g

Cholesterol – 365mg

Sodium – 596mg

Potassium – 1171mg

How are prawns different from shrimps?

Both shrimp and prawns are very similar, but there are a few things that tell you if it’s a shrimp or a prawn. Shrimps and prawns both have 10 legs, but shrimps tend to be smaller. In addition, shrimps usually have a curled body, while prawns usually have a flat body.

If you want to know the difference between shrimps and prawns, you need to take a closer look at their claws. Shrimps have only one pair of legs with claws at the end, while shrimps have three pairs of feet with claws.

While there aren’t many nutritional differences between shrimps and prawns, there are some studies that show prawns have a higher nutritional value than shrimps.

Are prawns considered safe to eat for everyone?

Even though they’re delicious and nutritious, prawns aren’t for everyone.

The main issue with prawns is their cholesterol content. A 100g prawn contains about 73mg of cholesterol, which is quite high. Although cholesterol prawns are high in cholesterol, they also contain less saturated fat. 

Foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat increase the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body, which can lead to coronary heart disease. However, because prawns are low in saturated fat, they don’t cause your body’s LDL cholesterol to rise. 

Another issue with shrimp is the high sodium content. A 100g prawn contains 119mg sodium, which is considered to be very high. Sodium levels are always linked to high blood pressure, so if you have hypertension, avoid high-sodium foods.

If you are allergic to shellfish, you should not eat prawns. If you experience itching, redness of the lips, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, or dizziness immediately after eating shrimp, you should immediately stop eating shrimp and seek medical advice.

Conclusion

So, as you can see, apart from being delicious, prawns are also very nutritious and have several health benefits. However, be careful not to overindulge as moderation is always the best option. Never eat more than 100 g of shrimp in a day.