Shrimp Nutrition Facts

This list of shrimp nutrition facts will show you what an underrated source of nutrients this marine food is. Read the following compilation of facts and start eating this healthy source of protein at least a couple times a week in conjunction with a balanced diet.

1. Shrimp is a good source of Omega-3 Fatty acids. Omega-3 has many benefits. It has been reported to decrease inflammation, increase brain and heart health as well as lower incidences of depression. It can possibly reduce the risks of colon and prostate cancer as well.
2. Shrimp is high in protein. A four-ounce serving of shrimp supplies approximately 23 grams of protein for barely over 100 calories. Protein is essential for the structure and function of bodily tissues and organs.
3. Shrimp is a good source of selenium. Shrimps supply 60 percent of your day’s worth of selenium, which helps in the prevention of cell damage from free radicals, aids in thyroid function and plays a role in protecting the immune system.
4. Shrimp is high in Vitamin D. This underrated vitamin is great for bone health and the prevention of many illnesses, such as inflammation, depression and multiple sclerosis.
5. Shrimp is a good source of vitamin B-12. Shrimp supplies almost 30 percent of your daily worth of this important vitamin. B-12 is essential for improving mood, energy and healthy nerve and blood cell formation.
6. Shrimp is low in calories. Low in fat and in carbohydrates automatically renders shrimp low in caloric value for its high protein content—only 115 calories for four ounces.
7. Shrimp is rich in iron. A mere four ounces of shrimp contains fifteen percent of your daily value for iron. Iron is essential for the formation and maintenance of blood cells and the liver, regulation of cellular growth and the formation proteins and enzymes for health.
8. Shrimp gives you 100 percent of your daily value for tryptophan. This important amino acid plays a role in the formation of neurotransmitters (such as serotonin) and healthy sleep patterns and mood.
9. Shrimp is a good source of zinc. Only four ounces of shrimp contains ffiteen percent of your daily value for zinc. Zinc is known for its skin healing abilities and its importance to the reproductive organs and as well as liver health.
10. Shrimp is a source of good cholesterol. Shrimp raises HDL, or beneficial cholesterol levels, by twelve percent. HDL cholesterol is necessary for nerve cell transmission, memory, and the uptake of hormones in the brain. It is also a precursor to Vitamin D and is used as an antioxidant against cancer and aging.