Health & Life

Why you should avoid using shrimp heads to cook soup?

When it comes to cooking shrimp, many people tend to use the discarded heads to make a broth. However, this method is not really ideal.

Administrator

22 February, 2024

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Why shouldn’t we use the head of shrimp to cook soup?

Shrimp is a highly nutritious food. It contains low fat but is rich in protein, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, and calcium. 100 grams of shrimp can provide 17-20 grams of protein. This is a food that can be used to nourish people with poor health, helping to supplement protein and calcium for the body. Shrimp is a nutritious dish that helps enhance immune function, improve health, and prevent some chronic diseases.

The meat of the shrimp is the most nutritious part. With the idea of ”eating what is good,” many people believe that eating the head of shrimp can improve brain function and vision. Some people grind the heads of shrimp to cook soup. However, experts do not encourage people to do this.

Shrimp is a healthy food, rich in nutrients. A diet with shrimp not only diversifies the menu but also helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases because shrimp contains a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower cholesterol levels in the blood. In addition, shrimp provides a certain amount of zinc and iron, helping to supplement trace elements for people with malnutrition.

Nutrients in shrimp are most concentrated in the meat. Many people believe that the nutrients are concentrated in the head and eyes of the shrimp, so they often grind this part to cook broth or fry the head of the shrimp to eat. However, the shrimp head is a chamber that contains impurities. It can contain parasites and heavy metals that are not good for health. Therefore, medical experts often advise people to limit eating the head of shrimp to avoid introducing harmful substances into the body.

Other parts of shrimp that should not be eaten

In addition to the head of shrimp, we should also avoid eating the shrimp shells. The shrimp shells are quite hard, so many people believe that they contain calcium, which helps strengthen bones. In fact, shrimp shells almost contain no calcium, and if they do, it is very little. Chitin is the substance that makes the shrimp shells hard. It is a polymer that forms the shell of most arthropods. The meat of shrimp is where the most calcium is found. Therefore, shrimp shells have no nutritional value as people think. They can even be difficult to digest, especially for young children.

When preparing shrimp, you should also remove the black digestive thread on the back. It is the digestive system of the shrimp and contains waste materials. The digestive thread is most visible in large shrimp. The bacteria in the shrimp’s digestive tract will be destroyed when the shrimp is cooked at a high temperature. Therefore, if you accidentally eat the shrimp’s digestive thread, it will not have a significant impact on your health. However, you should remove the digestive thread to ensure that the dish is clean and free from grit.

Frequently asked questions

Shrimp heads can contain harmful contaminants such as mercury, which can be dangerous for human consumption. Cooking shrimp heads can also result in an unpleasant bitter taste and a less aesthetically pleasing presentation. It is recommended to use only the meat of the shrimp for soup to ensure a safe and delicious dish.

The consumption of shrimp heads has been linked to potential health risks. Mercury, a toxic metal, can accumulate in shrimp heads and pose serious health hazards. Additionally, shrimp heads may contain harmful bacteria, which can cause foodborne illnesses if not handled and cooked properly.

To ensure the safety of your shrimp soup, it is advisable to use only the meat of the shrimp. Remove the heads and discard them before cooking. This will help reduce the risk of consuming contaminants and harmful bacteria. Proper handling and cooking techniques are also crucial to ensure the safety of your dish.

Shrimp heads can actually be utilized in various ways. They can be used to make seafood stock, adding depth of flavor to soups and sauces. Some people also fry or grill shrimp heads as a tasty snack, although it is important to be mindful of the potential health risks associated with consuming them.

To safely remove shrimp heads, use a sharp knife to cut along the back of the shrimp, starting from the tail end and moving towards the head. You can then peel off the head and discard it. Alternatively, you can simply twist and pull the head off, although this method may result in some broken shells remaining attached to the body.