Shrimp is a highly nutritious food rich in calcium and protein, classified among the most nutritious foods in the regular family meal.
When it comes to shrimp, many people immediately think of a food rich in calcium and protein. Therefore, shrimp is considered a nutritious food for children, aiding in increasing calcium and protein intake. Shrimp is also seen as a food that enhances calcium to prevent osteoporosis in women. It’s part of the menu for those aiming to lose weight due to its high protein content without much fat or cholesterol. For individuals with heart diseases, shrimp is also a good choice because it’s rich in omega-3. In 100g of shrimp, there are 17-20g of protein and various vitamins and minerals such as selenium, vitamin B12, omega-3, and calcium. Shrimp also provides zinc and iron, aiding in children’s growth and sound sleep.
However, many people wonder if they should eat shrimp heads. Does boiling shrimp heads for soup benefit health?
Usually, Vietnamese people keep shrimp heads to grind, strain, and filter the water for soup. Many believe that shrimp heads, shrimp eyes, are rich in calcium and aid in eyesight because they eat what is nutritious. Shrimp heads fried in many restaurants are also a specialty dish.
In reality, shrimp heads are not nutritious but harmful:
Shrimp heads are hollow cavities. According to shrimp’s structure, they contain waste, dirt, and are the dirtiest part of the shrimp, potentially harboring contaminants such as residues, especially heavy metals like mercury, parasites, lead, which can be particularly harmful, especially to children. Parasites in improperly cooked shrimp can cause brain or liver flukes. Heavy metals can accumulate in the body over time, gradually damaging the nervous system.
That’s why eating shrimp heads is not advisable, and it’s not recommended to keep shrimp heads for soup. Especially when preparing food for children, it’s better to give them only the peeled meat. Both shrimp shells and heads lack nutrients as we often believe. The upper part on the shrimp’s back is also its waste organ, so it’s not clean and can be toxic. Therefore, it’s recommended to remove it before cooking shrimp for a cleaner meal.
Furthermore, when buying shrimp, attention should be paid to differentiate between farmed shrimp, wild-caught shrimp, and shrimp with added impurities.
Shrimp is a highly nutritious seafood, but be mindful that if left for too long, they can become spoiled and produce harmful toxins for the body. Therefore, shrimp should be cooked immediately or frozen to avoid leaving them out for an extended period. Spoiled or rotten shrimp is extremely dangerous to health.
During the festive season, shrimp is a highly purchased food, which leads to relatively higher prices. Therefore, it’s crucial to pay attention to avoid buying shrimp with added impurities.
Avoid these hazardous mistakes when using new clothes that can cause dangerous diseases, commonly made by many Vietnamese, check immediately. There are three types of natural fish that cannot be artificially farmed; if seen in the market, buy them immediately. Foods that sprout will become as precious as gold, rich in nutrients, exponentially increasing their benefits, and the method is extremely easy.”
Please note that the translation provided is a close representation and may need further refinement for specific contexts.
