Health Effects of Eating Prawns on the Human Body
Farmers around the world grow freshwater prawns to increase their income. These crustaceans offer consumers many benefits
Eating prawns gives you omega-3 fatty acids and protein. (Image: Zakharova_Natalia/iStock/GettyImages)Read more: Are Prawns Good for Weight Loss?
Abundant Nutrients
Prawns have a healthy macronutrient profile. They're high in protein, low in carbohydrates and contain very little fat. For example, a 3-ounce serving has about 17 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of both carbohydrates and fat. Including prawns in your diet provides the types of nutrients you need to promote muscle and reduce fat.
Read more: What Is the Perfect Balance of Carbohydrates, Protein, Sugar, and Fat Calories?
Essential Minerals
Freshwater crustaceans are also rich in minerals. A 2017 report in Fishery Technology showed that prawns contain an abundance of magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and copper. The authors of the report noted that crustaceans caught during different seasons had different mineral profiles for the most part. The mineral that remained constant throughout the year was calcium.
Read more: Lists of Foods High in Minerals
Essential Vitamins
Prawns deliver many healthy vitamins as well. For example, they're a great source of vitamins A, D and E as well as vitamins B1, B2 and B3. Interestingly, irradiating crustaceans to remove bacteria increases their vitamin A and E content.
Read more: List of Vitamins and Their Uses
Fatty Acids
Prawns also offer an excellent source of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fats include the omega-3 fatty acids known to lower your heart attack risk. Authors of an article published in the International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies recommended prawns as a healthy food choice due to their omega-3 fatty acid content.
Read more: Omega-3 Supplement Side Effects
The Cholesterol in Prawns
Prawns offer a number of health benefits but also contain a high amount of cholesterol, nearly 200 milligrams in a 3-ounce serving. Some experts recommend limiting the intake of foods, like prawns, that are high cholesterol. But a 2015 thesis from Liverpool John Moores University tested this recommendation in healthy men, with the results indicating no adverse effects from eating prawns.
If you have a history of high cholesterol or heart disease, though, play it safe by consulting with your doctor about how foods like prawns might fit into your heart-healthy diet.
Read more: How Bad Is the Cholesterol in Shrimp?
Prawn Toxicity
Scientists often use prawns as a biomarker for environmental damage. For example, construction pollution lowers prawn numbers. Because consumers can absorb these toxins by eating contaminated crustaceans, it's a good idea to seek a safe source of edible prawns.
A 2015 article in Food Chemistry highlighted the lower levels of heavy metals evident in farm-raised prawns. The authors of the study demonstrated that wild-caught prawns had high levels of cadmium and arsenic, which should be avoided as they're considered possible causes of cancer.
Read more: Side Effects of Cadmium
Prawn Genetics
Environmental toxins cause genetic changes in prawn offspring. Manufacturers also intentionally breed larger prawns, according to a 2018 report in Reproduction in Domestic Animals. But, if you enjoy eating prawns, it's a good idea to keep in mind that biotechnology has advantages and disadvantages and that the effects of eating genetically altered prawns remain unknown.
Read more: Fishing for Answers
