分类： IT职场
2014-06-19 09:02:24
Shrimp is a delicious crustacean that can be cooked and eaten in many ways. Currently it is one of the most popular seafood in the USA. This is obviously attributed to its rich taste , but what about its nutritional profile?
First of all, shrimp is a great source of protein. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference a serving of 3 ounces of steamed shrimp provides almost 20grams of protein. Not only that but it is also a very low-fat low-carb food, since the same serving will only add 1.45 grams of fat to your diet. Needless to say that since it contains very little fat it also provides a small amount of calories, just 101 calories per 3 ounce serving.
Besides being a low calories high protein food , shrimp is also quite nutritious. It is packed with vitamins and minerals such as selenium, cobalamine (Vit B12), iron, phosphorus , niacin and zinc. All of them are considered essential nutrients that play vital roles in the good function of the human body.
Another important fact to consider is that shrimp is also a source of n-3 fatty acids. It is not as rich in them as some oily fish like salmon but it stills provides a respectable amount of them. n-3 fatty acids have been linked with a number of beneficial effects for good health like the reduction of triglycerides, blood pressure and the risk of heart attack. Furthermore they have anti-inflammatory activity that may be beneficial in some conditions.
But what about cholesterol? This is the most common questions about the nutrition properties of shrimp. Unfortunately shrimp is a very high cholesterol food. However, this is not a deal breaker, since the cholesterol that we ingest through the consumption of foods doesn’t have as big of an impact in blood cholesterol levels as it was once believed. There are even clinical trials that have tested the effect of shrimp consumption specifically on blood cholesterol levels and none of them advises against the consumption of shrimp.
Nonetheless , if you have high cholesterol it is always good to be safe and not overdo it with shrimp consumption. It goes without saying that you should always consult with a doctor or dietitian about what quantities of shrimp can be added in your diet safely.
