Despite being low in calories, shrimp contains many nutrients, including iodine and antioxidants, that may offer health benefits. But it is high in cholesterol. Shrimp is one of the most commonly consumed types of shellfish. It’s quite nutritious and provides high amounts of certain nutrients, such as iodine, that aren’t abundant in many other foods. On the other hand, some people claim that shrimp is unhealthy due to its high cholesterol content. Additionally, it’s commonly believed that farm-raised shrimp may have some negative health effects compared with wild-caught shrimp.
Shrimp has an impressive nutrition profile. It’s quite low in calories, providing only 84 calories in a 3-ounce serving. Shrimp often gets a bad rap for its high cholesterol content. A 3-ounce (85-gram) serving contains 161 mg of cholesterol. Many people fear foods that are high in cholesterol due to the belief that they increase the cholesterol in your blood, and promote heart disease. Shrimp contains antioxidants. The primary type of antioxidant in shrimp is a carotenoid called astaxanthin.
Astaxanthin is a component of algae, which is consumed by shrimp. For this reason, shrimp is a major source of astaxanthin. In fact, this antioxidant is responsible for the reddish color of shrimp cells.
When you consume astaxanthin, it may help protect against inflammation by preventing free radicals from damaging your cells. It’s been studied for its role in reducing the risk of several chronic diseases. Many studies have found astaxanthin may help strengthen arteries, which may reduce the risk of heart attacks.”