1. Shrimp May Increase Your “Good” Cholesterol as Well as Your “Bad” Cholesterol

A 3-ounce serving of shrimp contains about 161 mg of cholesterol, which is considered high. However, shrimp can boost your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which help eliminate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from your body.

Higher LDL levels in your bloodstream can lead to plaque in blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, or stroke. Eating shrimp regularly should not worsen the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol.

2. Your Body Regulates Cholesterol Production, Absorption, and Breakdown Based on IntakeWhen you consume cholesterol, your body adjusts by signaling the liver to produce less, the digestive system to absorb less, and increasing cholesterol breakdown.
3. Replacing Foods High in Saturated Fat With Shrimp May Improve LDL Cholesterol
A 3-ounce serving of shrimp contains only about 1 gram of fat, mostly unsaturated. Saturated and trans fats, not found in shrimp, are the types that can raise LDL levels and cause arterial blockages.

Foods high in saturated fat typically include butter, beef, fried foods, baked goods, and ice cream. Replacing these foods with shrimp could potentially lower your LDL cholesterol.

4. People With Familial Hypercholesterolemia May See More of a Rise in Cholesterol
Most people will not experience significant changes in blood cholesterol levels from eating shrimp. However, a small number of individuals have a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which makes them more sensitive to cholesterol in foods, including shrimp. If you have this condition, consult a healthcare provider to discuss an appropriate diet.

5. Shrimp Can Be Heart-Healthy
Not only is shrimp low in unhealthy fats and high in “good” fats, but it is also low in calories, high in protein, and has omega-3 fatty acids and selenium, both of which are good for your heart.


Shrimp also contain the antioxidant astaxanthin, which can lower inflammation and even help strengthen arteries.

Some evidence suggests that people who eat shrimp may have lower blood pressure, less build-up in the arteries, and develop less heart disease than others.

Do Farm-Raised vs Wild-Caught Shrimp Differ?

Farmed seafood may have more omega-3s, largely due to their diet, than wild-caught seafood.14 Some shrimp are treated with sulfites during processing, but the additive must be labeled.

In some cases, farmed shrimp may have been treated with antibiotics or have antibiotic residue.15 Antibiotics in the environment and food may lead to the spread of disease, due to the exposure causing increased antibiotic resistance.16

The United States doesn’t approve the use of antibiotics in shrimp, but the huge demand means that some imported farm-raised shrimp may contain them, mostly in shrimp from India and Vietnam.17
Southern Shrimp Alliance. Which countries continue to use antibiotics in shrimp aquaculture? The EU, Japan, and the United States all find the same thing: India and Vietnam.
How Much Shrimp Is OK to Eat?

There’s no specific recommendation for how much cholesterol should be in your diet.18 Experts generally recommend keeping it lower, so consider how much shrimp you eat.

Look for shrimp that are firm and have translucent shells with few or no black spots on them. If they smell fishy or have an ammonia-like smell, they may be spoiled and not safe to eat.

Most people tolerate shrimp well, though up to 2% of the population is allergic to shrimp. Reactions range from mild or moderate to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic response that can make your throat and lips swell so that it is hard to breathe.20

If you notice a reaction to shrimp in yourself or others, seek treatment. If you are finding it difficult to breathe, call 911 or go to an emergency room.