What are prawns?
"Shrimp" is the common name for a small aquatic crustacean with a thin exoskeleton, which is usually removed before eating. The shrimp's body is divided into three segments: the head, the thorax and the abdomen.
Shrimp can be found in cold or warm waters and are also farmed. Cold water varieties tend to be smaller. There are thousands of different varieties of prawns, the best known of which are tiger prawns and king prawns.
Nutritional Profile of Shrimp
A 100g portion of cooked shrimp provides:
• 70 kcal / 295 kj
• 15.4g of protein
• 0.9 g fat
• 1mg iron
• 1mg of zinc
• 30 mcg of selenium
• 13 mcg of iodine
• 1.47 g of salt
Top 5 Health Benefits of Shrimp
1. A useful source of vitamins
Shrimp are a useful source of B vitamins, including vitamin B12 and folate. These vitamins play an important role in the production of energy and the replenishment of red blood cells.
Shrimp provides about 22 times the vitamin E levels of chicken or beef. This fat-soluble vitamin acts as an antioxidant and may protect against heart disease and cancer.
2. A source of important trace minerals
Shrimp are a useful source of some harder-to-obtain trace minerals, such as iodine, zinc, and selenium. We need iodine to support the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, while zinc and selenium support the immune system.
3. A source of protective antioxidants
Shrimp have a pink hue thanks to a compound called astaxanthin, which is obtained from the algae the shrimp eat. This compound has anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, and benefit skin health.
4. May Promote Weight Loss
Shellfish such as shrimp are an excellent source of easily digestible, high-quality protein. It is also low in calories and fat and can be a useful inclusion in a weight loss plan.
5. Constitute one of the recommended two servings of seafood per week
A healthy, balanced diet should include at least two servings of fish or seafood per week, and one serving should be a variety of oily fish. Shellfish, such as shrimp, is one of those recommended servings.
Are shrimp safe for everyone?
Shrimp naturally contains cholesterol, but is also low in saturated fat, which means that eating shrimp is not likely to raise so-called “bad” or LDL cholesterol. For this reason, the British Heart Foundation recommends consuming shellfish, including prawns, as part of a balanced diet.
Shrimp also contain relatively high levels of sodium compared to white fish like cod, so if you are on a low-salt diet, you may want to limit your intake.
Shellfish like prawns are listed as one of 14 common allergens in the UK and as such must be declared on food labels. A severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. Talk to your GP if you think you might have an allergy.
Remember that shellfish that are not fresh or that have not been stored or prepared properly can be a cause of food poisoning.