Table of contents:
- What is contained in egg shells?
- Various health benefits of egg shells
- 1. Meet daily calcium needs
- 2. Reducing the risk of osteoporosis
- 3. Maintain healthy joints
- How do you process it for consumption?
Most people usually only process the whites and yolks for consumption. The egg shell ends at the bottom of the trash. But maybe, after reading this article you will start to be interested in trying egg shell snacking. You know, are egg shells edible?
Of course! So, don't throw away the leftover egg shells from your lunch. Also check out the various benefits of egg shells which are apparently good for supporting body health.
What is contained in egg shells?
The hard texture of an egg shell is made of calcium carbonate, the most common form of calcium. Calcium itself is one of the essential minerals that we need to keep our body functioning properly.
One egg shell contains about 40 percent calcium. Half of this egg shell alone can meet the daily calcium needs of adults, which is 1,000 mg per day.
Apart from calcium, eggshells also contain other minerals including strontium, fluoride, magnesium, selenium, and protein. All these nutrients also play a role in maintaining bone health.
Various health benefits of egg shells
1. Meet daily calcium needs
The calcium content in egg shells is absorbed more quickly by the body than any calcium supplements on the market. This is proven by research on mice and pigs.
In addition to maintaining the strength of bones and teeth, calcium is also needed to help the heart pump blood throughout the body and make the heart beat more regularly. Calcium also acts as a natural sedative that calms the nervous system to reduce pain, as well as stops bleeding when we are injured.
2. Reducing the risk of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is bone loss, which can increase the risk of fractures. Common osteoporosis appears in the elderly, but the early development can start at a young age. This bone loss is generally caused by a lack of calcium intake in the daily diet. As we get older, the level of natural calcium also begins to decline.
A study conducted on postmenopausal women found that eggshell powder can strengthen bones that have osteoporosis. In the body, egg shells work to bind vitamin D and magnesium to increase bone mineral density.
The same study also reported that eggshell powder may be more effective at reducing the risk of osteoporosis than calcium supplements.
3. Maintain healthy joints
If you take a peek inside the shell, you will find a thin transparent cell covering the walls. You can also see it more clearly when you peel a hard boiled egg. This membrane is usually attached to the inside of the egg shell.
Several studies have shown that vitamin supplements containing eggshell membranes can keep your joints healthy. The reason is, the egg shell membrane is made of collagen, chondroitin sulfate (a constituent of cartilage tissue), glucosamine, and other nutrients.
Collagen itself is reported to be useful for reducing joint pain due to osteoarthritis and rheumatism. However, further research is still needed to determine whether eggshell supplements are truly effective in this regard.
How do you process it for consumption?
If you are interested in the benefits of egg shells, you can process them yourself at home. First, wash the shells and boil them for a few minutes to kill bacteria and foreign substances (including lead, aluminum, cadmium, and mercury).
Then, mash or blend the egg shells until they become a powder. Make sure to grind it until it is completely smooth. The sharp edges of the eggshell can injure your throat or esophagus if swallowed whole. You can add this powdered eggshell to your food or mix it with your drink.
A safer alternative, you can buy eggshell supplements at the nearest health store. Recently, eggshell powder has been widely processed as a natural calcium supplement.
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