Prawns are small aquatic creatures that are basically shellfish and are often confused with fish and shrimps.Shrimps and prawns are different creatures but are often thought to be the same. Though their taste is somewhat alike, their nutritional value is slightly different.These crustaceans are rich in vitamin B12, vitamin E, protein, phosphorus, calcium, selenium and have no saturated fat at all. Prawns are a healthy type of seafood, a rich source of nutrients, calcium, and low in fat and mercury. Prawns are fondly eaten throughout the world and are considered a high-quality commodity that yields very profitable business. In fact, this is a multi-million dollar industry, and the best part is, you can get into it at any scale, right at your home.Recently, a farmer in Khera village in India earned a handsome income through his farm-raised prawns from the waterlogged land in which the traditional wheat and paddy farming was not possible due to high salinity. Land in that area had become a curse for farmers in the region. Business is now booming for the farmers though, thanks to aquaculture, which has led to tremendous increases in their farm-raised prawns.Cooked prawns as foods have innumerable protein, low calories and offer many health and nutritional benefits. Adding prawns to your diet can help you create a balanced diet along with other fresh healthy foods. Eating prawns regularly can also help keep your cholesterol low and offer you all the essential nutrients you need.Fun Facts About PrawnsPrawns are unquestionably one of the most interesting creatures to be found on the planet. Prawns and cooked shrimp are both incredibly fascinating seafood, even if often confused with other types of shellfish. Here are some amazing facts about cooked shrimp and prawns:They have approximately 16 photoreceptors and can see well. Also, they can move their eyes independently in various directions.Cold-water prawns offer a higher spreadability due to their size and will easily appear plentiful in any serving, unlike warm-water prawns, which often only offer a few prawns per serving. Therefore cold water prawns are highly preferable to people.Of their five paired legs shrimps have claws on two, whereas prawns have claws on three of their five paired legs.Prawns and shrimps have their heart in their head.Prawns do not have a backbone.Prawns live in all of the world’s oceans, in freshwater, and on land. There are over 4500 different species of prawns around the world.Prawns and shrimp communicate with each other by waving or drumming their pincers.They have a lifespan of three to four years.Male prawns tend to often fight with each other over females or hide holes.Nutritional Facts About PrawnsLet’s take a look at how cooked prawns are a great source of nutrients and why they should be included in our diets.Prawns are rich in vitamin B12. Having a deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to various problems such as fatigue, weakness, and even depression. If not taken care of and in worst-case scenario, a long-term deficiency can lead to brain damage. Therefore, it’s critical for B12 to be maintained at the correct levels in the human body. Fresh prawns are a good source of B12 as well as several vitamins and minerals.Prawns are also low in fat. Years ago, prawns were considered to be a bad option for anyone with heart disease or for anyone watching their cholesterol. However, prawns are considered to be rich in healthy fats and very low in total fat. They have no saturated fats at all. Saturated fat is known to be harmful to the heart and blood vessels because our body can efficiently convert it into low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol, which increases the chances of health risk and heart disease. Prawns contain three times more omega 3 fatty acids than they do omega 6 fatty acids, making them a healthier option than chicken. Studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acids combat a range of health problems, including helping reduce inflammation in skin cells and lowering the risk of heart attacks.Prawns are a high source of selenium, which helps restrict the growth of cancer cells in the body. Cancer is no doubt one of the most severe diseases across the world, and including prawns in our diet may help us prevent cancer.Prawns have a high amount of zinc in them, which helps improve our immune system.Prawns can also be helpful in combatting Alzheimer’s disease, which is a severe brain disease affecting people’s memory and thinking skills. Millions of people around the world suffer from Alzheimer’s. Prawns consist of fatty acids and protein that can help in protecting you against Alzheimer’s disease.Eating prawns on a regular basis can also help with heart health. Given the health benefits, it’s definitely worth including prawns into your food diet and benefiting from additional vitamins while keeping your intake of calories low.Prawns are low-calorie, nutrition-rich food that can help with muscle development. A 3.5 oz (100 g) prawn diet has only 115 calories and a mere 0.06 oz (1.72 g) of fats. Prawns also contain a good amount of zinc and iodine, and deficiencies of these are associated with overeating and weight gain. Also, cooked shrimp and prawns are abundant in protein as 3.5 oz (100 g) of cooked shrimp or prawns includes 0.84 oz (24 g) of protein. These properties make cooked shrimp and prawns a good choice for your weight loss plan. If you’re looking to reduce your calories while increasing your vitamins for overall health prawns are a great choice.This section covered nutrition information and how including them in our food can be highly beneficial. Now, let’s explore some fun facts about them.Are there any side effects from eating prawns?While there are lots of health benefits from eating prawns, including protein, several nutrients, minerals, and low cholesterol, there can be some side effects of eating it too. Some people either have a natural shellfish allergy or develop a shellfish allergy over time. These allergies can sometimes cause an anaphylactic reaction which can be dangerous. Some people suffering from a shellfish allergy also complain of itchiness around the lips and tongue.Other people may develop a skin allergy to shellfish and prawns, while for others it may cause digestive issues. Therefore it is recommended that people eat prawns and shrimp from trusted restaurants and try a small amount when eating prawns for the first time.Also, while eating prawns, try to also avoid consuming too much vitamin c. Prawns contain a high concentration of arsenic compound, which is non-toxic to the human body, but when combined with vitamin C it can sometimes transform it into a highly toxic ’trivalent arsenic’ which can lead to acute poisoning.Facts To Be Aware Of Before Eating PrawnsThere are several points to be kept in mind before eating prawns. Like every living organism, seafood has a particular time of breeding. Prawns breed predominantly during monsoon seasons, so it’s recommended to avoid eating them at this time to maintain a sustainable ecosystem. Also, it is the time of the year when people often are susceptible to various water-borne infections. Hence, it is safe to maintain a distance from seafood during this time.Also, as stated before, avoiding food with vitamin C is also wise to avoid the possibility of acute poisoning. While rare, it can be very dangerous for humans.
Prawns are small aquatic creatures that are basically shellfish and are often confused with fish and shrimps.
