Prawns, also known as “shrimps,” are one of the most popular seafood in the UK. Freshwater and saltwater variations, as well as farmed varieties, of these small aquatic crustaceans can be found in a wide variety of sizes.
There are thousands of different species of prawns, but king prawns, tiger prawns, and North Atlantic prawns are the most popular in the UK.
If you want to buy king prawns, tiger prawns or North Atlantic prawns, visit www.seafooddirect.co.uk today.
What Is the Nutritional Value of Prawns?
Cooked prawns have 70 calories per 100g. They are 84 percent water and have 15g of protein with less than 1g of fat, distributed rather evenly between saturated and unsaturated fat. Because prawns are an animal protein, they have very little carbohydrate.
Prawns also have an excellent nutritional profile, with a variety of minerals and vitamins, including many B vitamins, which are essential for energy and nervous system support. They also contain iron and calcium, which are both vital for healthy blood formation and coagulation, as well as selenium, which is necessary for the immune system and reproductive health, as well as thyroid health. Before jumping to any conclusion, study prawns benefits and side effects and learn about the calories in prawns before you make your purchase.
Health Benefits of Prawns
Supports Your Weight Loss Journey:
Prawns are low in calories but high in protein, making them a great choice for those looking to lose weight. Protein in prawns helps increase satiety and can reduce overall calorie intake, supporting weight loss efforts.
Builds Muscles:
Prawns are rich in high-quality protein and contain essential amino acids necessary for muscle growth and repair. Regular consumption can aid in building and maintaining muscle mass.
Prevents Cancer:
Prawns contain antioxidants such as selenium and astaxanthin, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This antioxidant protection may reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Promotes Heart Health:
The omega-3 fatty acids found in prawns can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease. They also contain magnesium, which supports heart function and regulates blood pressure.
Helps with Youthfulness:
Prawns are a good source of astaxanthin, a carotenoid with potent antioxidant properties. Astaxanthin helps protect skin from UV damage, reducing signs of aging such as wrinkles and age spots.
Improves Your Immune System:
Prawns contain vitamins and minerals like zinc and vitamin E, which support immune function. These nutrients help strengthen the immune system and protect against infections.
Fights Alzheimer’s Disease:
The omega-3 fatty acids in prawns may help maintain brain health and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. They support cognitive function and memory.
Builds Strong Bones:
Prawns are a good source of phosphorus, a mineral essential for bone health and strength. Combined with calcium and vitamin D, phosphorus helps maintain strong bones and teeth.
These health benefits make prawns not only a delicious seafood choice but also a nutritious addition to your diet.
Should You Eat Prawns If You Are Watching Your Cholesterol?
Prawns do contain cholesterol, but they are also low in saturated fat. Thus they are unlikely to raise LDL (low-density lipoprotein), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol.
In a 2010 study, 23 healthy men were given either 225g of cold water prawns or an equivalent weight of fish as a control for 12 weeks to see if cold water prawns had any effect on plasma cholesterol and lipoproteins in normolipidemic men. The results revealed that eating cold water prawns had no discernible effect on LDL cholesterol concentration or density at the end of the study. However, research suggests that only about 25% of people are sensitive to dietary cholesterol, meaning for most individuals, dietary cholesterol may not significantly impact blood cholesterol levels.
Shellfish, such as prawns, are also recommended as part of a balanced diet by the British Heart Foundation.
Studies also highlight that prawn meat is rich in various essential nutrients such as proteins, bioactive peptides, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and minerals. These components can help mitigate cholesterol absorption and contribute positively to overall health.
Is It Possible to Be Allergic to Prawns?
Yes! Although relatively uncommon, shellfish allergy is a real thing. Consult your general practitioner if you experience any troubling symptoms after eating prawns, such as a scratchy throat, nasal congestion or trouble breathing, nausea or vomiting or dizziness. In extremely rare cases, shellfish allergy can also cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. This is a medical emergency that needs to be dealt with right away.
How to Choose and Store Prawns?
You can either buy prawns fresh or frozen. If you are buying fresh prawns, they should have no ‘fishy’ smell. Avoid buying prawns with cracked or dry shells. Some prawns are frozen as soon as they are caught to preserve their freshness. So, can you cook frozen prawns? If you are buying frozen prawns, make sure you defrost them first and do not refreeze them after they have thawed.
Are Prawns Healthy? Healthy Prawn Recipes
- Prawn and egg fried rice
- Prawn jalfrezi and jeera rice
- Prawn, garlic and chilli linguine
- Prawn, watermelon and avocado salad
- Crispy sweet corn, prawn and coriander fritters
- Creamy prawn chowder
- Fragrant courgette prawn curry
Buy Seafood Online
If you are looking for seafood delivery in Grimsby, Seafood Direct is the company to call. To browse our fine selection of mouth-watering fresh seafood, please stop by our collections page!
And if you have any questions about our seafood delivery service, call us at 01472 566000 or write to us at sales@seafooddirect.co.uk. One of our representatives will get back to you shortly!