The Autumn Treasure for Health! Shrimp Benefits & Calories: Low-Calorie, High-Protein Superfood

Through ‘the Autumn Treasure for Health! Shrimp Benefits & Calories: Low-Calorie, High-Protein Superfood’ post, we will take a detailed look at the benefits, nutritional content, calories, seasonal availability, selection, and storage tips of shrimp, the autumn superfood for health.

If we were to describe shrimp in one line, it would be:

“An autumn delicacy from the sea, packed with high-protein and health benefits.”

Shrimp is one of the quintessential seafoods that come to mind during the autumn season. True to its name, which means “large shrimp,” it boasts plump, firm meat and was once enjoyed by royalty to honor esteemed guests, according to historical records. During autumn, shrimp reaches its peak in flavor and nutrition, providing warmth and energy. Let’s dive into the incredible benefits and charms of shrimp, a low-calorie, high-protein superfood, to help you enjoy it healthily and deliciously!

We’ve provided diagrams and tables to make it easier to understand shrimp’s benefits, nutritional profile, seasonal timing, and selection tips at a glance.

Let’s explore each of these in detail.

1. Heart Health

* Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, shrimp can lower triglycerides, increase good cholesterol (HDL), and reduce inflammation in the blood vessel walls, reducing the risk of heart diseases, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis.

※ Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Unsaturated Fatty Acids

– Lowers triglyceride levels in the blood, reducing the risk of heart disease

– Increases levels of good cholesterol (HDL), preventing artery blockage and maintaining smooth blood circulation

– Helps to dilate blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure, aiding in hypertension prevention

2. Weight Management

* Shrimp is a low-calorie, high-protein food, making it ideal for weight management. Its high protein content aids in digestion and promotes a lasting sense of fullness, preventing overeating while preserving muscle.

※ Low-Calorie: The low calorie content of shrimp promotes satiety while limiting total calorie intake, supporting weight management.

※ High-Protein: Protein is slowly digested, maintaining a feeling of fullness over time and promoting muscle growth and preservation.

※ Low-Fat: Shrimp contains only about 1g of fat per 100g, making it effective for weight control.

※ Balanced Nutrients: Shrimp offers various vitamins and minerals that prevent nutrient deficiencies during weight loss.

3. Skin Health

* Shrimp contains antioxidants like astaxanthin, selenium, and vitamin E, which help to reduce oxidative stress that damages cells, prevent skin aging, and promote healthy skin cell protection and regeneration.

※ Astaxanthin: A carotenoid with stronger antioxidant effects than vitamins C and E, it reduces UV damage and prevents oxidation of skin cells caused by free radicals.

※ Selenium: Activates the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, reducing oxidative stress in cells and promoting cell regeneration.

※ Vitamin E: Plays a critical role in protecting cell membranes and repairing damaged tissues, aiding in the recovery of wounds and injuries.

4. Immune Support

* The abundant selenium in shrimp protects immune cells through its antioxidant action, and zinc supports immune cell growth and functionality. Vitamin B12 is essential for producing healthy red blood cells and for cellular energy metabolism, enhancing immunity.

※ Selenium: Essential for activating antioxidant enzymes, it prevents cell damage by neutralizing free radicals and reduces inflammation.

※ Zinc: Plays a crucial role in the growth and functionality of immune cells like T-cells and white blood cells, boosting antibody production to defend against viruses and bacteria while preventing tissue damage from excessive inflammation.

※ Vitamin B12: Aids in red blood cell production and supports energy production for immune

5. Bone Health

* Shrimp is rich in calcium and phosphorus, both primary components of bone, which help to maintain bone density and reduce the risk of fractures. Vitamin D works together with these minerals to enhance calcium absorption in the intestines, maintaining bone density and strength.

※ Calcium: The main mineral that forms bones and teeth, playing a crucial role in maintaining bone density and strength.

※ Phosphorus: Combines with calcium to form calcium phosphate, the primary component of bones and teeth.

※ Vitamin D: Promotes calcium absorption in the intestines and regulates the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the body.

6. Additional Benefits

* Additional benefits: Fatigue recovery, brain function enhancement, eye health, thyroid health, blood sugar regulation, cardiovascular health.

※ Eye Health: Astaxanthin in shrimp protects eye cells and reduces damage from UV rays, while vitamin A helps produce rhodopsin, which prevents night blindness and supports eye health.

※ Brain Function Enhancement: The omega-3 fatty acids in shrimp and vitamin B12, essential for brain cell energy metabolism, promote smooth signaling between brain cells, aiding memory and learning abilities.

※ Thyroid Health: Selenium plays an essential role in the conversion of thyroid hormones T4 to T3, maintaining thyroid health and supporting normal metabolic functions.

※ Fatigue Recovery: Vitamin B12, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids in shrimp help to restore energy and alleviate fatigue.

※ Blood Sugar Control: Shrimp, with a glycemic index (GI) of 0 and nearly no carbohydrates, helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

* Shrimp has approximately 100 kcal per 100g.

* It is a low-calorie, high-protein, low-fat food that supports weight management and provides diverse nutrients for overall health.

※ Peak Season: The peak season for shrimp is from September to December.

※ Typically, autumn is when shrimp is at its best, from September to December. During this time, shrimp is at its peak flavor and nutrition, featuring plump meat, a fresh taste, sweetness, and a chewy texture.

※ Why is seasonal shrimp tastier and more nutritious?

1. Optimal Growth Season: In autumn, shrimp reaches full growth, becoming larger and plumper.

2. Fresh Flavor and Texture: Autumn shrimp is fresh, with full, firm flesh that has a sweet taste and chewy texture.

* Shell Color: Fresh shrimp has a transparent, bright gray shell.

* Firmness: Fresh shrimp feels firm and resilient when pressed.

* Head and Body Connection: The head and body of fresh shrimp are tightly attached. If the head easily separates or is loose, it may be less fresh or old.

* Smell: Fresh shrimp has a light ocean scent, without a strong fishy or ammonia odor.

* Eye Condition: Clear and dark eyes are indicators of fresh shrimp.

1. Storage Methods

– Refrigeration: Clean shrimp, remove excess moisture, and place it in an airtight container, storing it at 2–4°C for 1–2 days. For added freshness, wrap in a paper towel and store with an ice pack.

– Freezing: Clean shrimp, remove excess moisture, and store in an airtight container without peeling. For longer storage, vacuum-sealing can help maintain freshness for 2–3 months.

2. Precautions

– Do not store refrigerated shrimp for more than 2 days.

– Avoid refreezing shrimp once it has been thawed.

– When refrigerated, check freshness by observing if the shell becomes cloudy or soft. Strong fishy smells may indicate spoilage, so use caution.

– When frozen, check for changes in shrimp color or excessive ice buildup. If there is a strange odor after thawing, avoid consuming the shrimp.

In ‘The Autumn Treasure for Health! Shrimp Benefits & Calories: Low-Calorie, High-Protein Superfood’ post, we’ve explored the benefits, nutritional content, calories, seasonal availability, selection tips, and storage methods of shrimp, the low-calorie, high-protein superfood of autumn. I hope you have gained a deeper understanding of shrimp through this post.

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