We already know that wild-caught, American shrimp are delicious to eat, but did you also know that they offer a variety of beauty-based benefits? It’s true! Shrimp are a real beauty food!
While shrimp are considered to be a genuine “beauty food,” you may be wondering what that even means.
Simply put, as more people discover the important connection between diet, intestinal health, and skin health, more attention has been placed on “beauty foods,” or, foods that promote healthiness in one’s appearance due to properties such as their nutrients.
As put by The Beauty Chef, “Your entire body is made up of cells and bacteria and the nature of that fabric profoundly influences your health and the health and integrity of your skin. Your skin, hair, and nails are the last places to receive nutrients because they go to more important organs first. So, if you’re not getting enough nutrition, your skin will starve.”
Luckily, wild-caught, American shrimp are chockful of beautifying nutrients!
For one, shrimp contain astaxanthin, a carotenoid – or, a special pigment on the yellow, orange, and red spectrum – that gives them their pink color. Astaxanthin can act as a potent antioxidant, a substance that can slow or even prevent damage caused to the body’s cells from environmental damage such as prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight and can even help combat the effects of premature aging in the skin. Further antioxidant protection is provided by omega-3 fatty acids that are also found in shrimp, which also help protect your cardiovascular system and promote heart health!
Shrimp are also chockful of zinc, a natural mineral found in various foods that plays an important role in the production of new cells in the body, including hair and skin cells. From helping to maintain your luscious locks or keeping your skin youthful and vibrant, zinc has got you covered! And that’s not all: zinc also helps maintain the productivity of the oil-secreting glands on the scalp, which helps to keep hair shiny and vibrant!
Shrimp are even a solid source of copper, which can help prevent hair loss, intensify hair color, and contribute to hair thickness! And of course, shrimp are an excellent source of lean protein. After all, shrimp are made almost entirely of protein and water!
Of course, we only recommend the consumption of wild-caught shrimp from the United States! When it comes to farm-raised and imported shrimp, you never know what kinds of harmful chemicals and banned antibiotics have been injected into them. After all, these farmed-raised shrimp are grown with few regulations, and only 0.1% of imported shrimp are inspected by the FDA.
So, the next time you eat wild-caught shrimp from the U.S., remember that they’re not just good for your appetite: they’re good for your looks too!
ASPA Member Feature: Gulf Crown Seafood Company Inc.