Eat Me: Five reasons to relish shrimp

Shrimp is a popular staple in seafood restaurants, next to lobster and crab.

Some species of shrimp live in estuaries, where saltwater and freshwater mix. They are often confused with prawn which is commonly found in fresh or brackish water.

The recipes for shrimp are endless but a few tasty ways to cook them include pasta and shrimp, grilled shrimp, and shrimp sauce.

Here are five of their health benefits.

Anti-ageing properties

Sunlight promotes skin ageing. Without protection, even a few minutes of exposure to sunlight and UVA may lead to wrinkles, spots, or sunburn.

Shrimp contains high levels of a certain carotenoid called astaxanthin, which is a powerful antioxidant that can greatly reduce the signs of ageing in the skin related to UVA and sunlight.

Reduces cancer risk

The seafood contains carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, which may help in reducing the risk of various types of cancer.

It also contains selenium, which is a trace mineral and has been connected to lower levels of cancer, including prostate, and lung cancer.

Eases menstrual pain

It is a source of the beneficial type of cholesterol, omega-3 fatty acids.

These will balance out the negative effects of omega-6 fatty acids and aid in the alleviation of menstrual cramps for women.

Fights hair loss

One of the minerals found in shrimp is zinc. A deficiency of zinc may cause hair loss.

Zinc plays a key role in maintaining and creating new cells, including hair and skin cells, so for those who are beginning to lose their hair.

Bone health

A deficiency in dietary proteins and vitamins can lead to the deterioration of bone quality, bone mass, strength, and overall mass, which are the main symptoms of osteoporosis.

Protein and various vitamins, such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, found in shrimp can effectively aid in the fight against bone degeneration.