The Latest News About Shrimp

Shrimp are crustaceans (just like lobsters and crabs) and they belong to a category of living things called arthropods. Many people ask about the way shrimp sizes (small, medium, large, jumbo) are determined. While there is no precise method typically used for shrimp sizing, count per pound is the most common method used with small being about 60 shrimp per pound, medium being 50 per pound, large being 40 per pound, and jumbo being 30 per pound.

Please note that we have placed shrimp on our "10 Most Controversial WHFoods List." This list was created to let you know that even though some foods (like shrimp) can make an outstanding contribution to your meal plan, they are definitely not for everyone. Shrimp can be difficult to find in high-quality form; can be more commonly associated with adverse reactions than other foods; and can present more challenges to our food supply in terms of sustainability. Coming soon we will present more detailed information about the "10 Most Controversial WHFoods List" on our website.

What's New and Beneficial About Shrimp

• Shrimp are an unusually concentrated source of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrient called astaxanthin. It's not unusual for a single 4-ounce serving of shrimp to contain 4 milligrams of astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid that is receiving special attention in the latest health research, primarily for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Release of inflammatory messaging molecules (like tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1B) is suppressed by astaxanthin, and so is unwanted oxidation of fats in immune cells. In animal studies, risk of colon cancer is lowered by intake of astaxanthin, and immune-related problems of diabetes are also reduced. It's the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of astaxanthin that seems to explain these disease-related benefits. Since few commonly consumed fish (with the exception of salmon) can provide us such concentrated amounts of astaxanthin, shrimp may be making a unique health contribution in this way.
• At 45 micrograms in every 4 ounces, shrimp is an excellent source of the antioxidant mineral selenium. Recent research studies show that the selenium contained in shrimp can be well-absorbed into the human body. In one study, we've seen an estimate of about 80-85% for total selenium absorption from this shellfish. Since selenium deficiency has been shown to be a risk factor for heart failure and other forms of cardiovascular disease, as well as for other problems including type 2 diabetes, compromised cognitive function, and depression, shrimp may have a unique role to play in your meal plan if your health history places you at special risk in any of these areas.
• Shrimp is often included on the "avoid" list for persons wanting to minimize their dietary intake of cholesterol. The 220 milligrams of cholesterol contained in a 4-ounce serving of shrimp makes this approach a legitimate concern. However, despite its high cholesterol content, several recent research studies have noted some desirable aspects of the fat profile in shrimp. One of these desirable aspects is shrimp's omega-3 fat content. Four ounces of shrimp provides about 350-375 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids, including about 50% EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 50% DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). EPA and DHA are especially important omega-3s for cardiovascular and nervous system health. In addition to this great mixture of omega-3s, shrimp also provides an outstanding ratio of omega-3:omega-6 fats. There are approximately three times as many omega-3s as omega-6s in shrimp. Since higher ratios of omega-3:omega-6 are associated with decreased risk of many chronic diseases—including obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes—this aspect of shrimp's fat content is a huge plus. Finally, it is interesting to note that according to recent studies, cholesterol is not the only sterol in shrimp. This type of fat is found in smaller amounts in the form of beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and brassicasterol. While chemically similar to cholesterol, these other sterols function as anti-inflammatory molecules and they are associated with decreased levels of LDL-cholesterol, which would be considered a health benefit by many researchers. When looked at from this broader perspective, risks related to the high cholesterol content of shrimp might be overshadowed by its omega-3 and sterol composition - but we will need future studies to help us understand more about the big picture involving shrimp and fat. As always, if you have concerns that have you need to be cautious about cholesterol intake, discuss the inclusion of shrimp in your diet with your healthcare practitioner.
• If you are planning to eat wild-caught, cold-water shrimp, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch

  has determined that your best overall choices in this category of shrimp are British Columbia spot prawns, California coonstripe shrimp (caught using submerged pots), and Oregon pink shrimp. (You probably won't be able to tell from a label whether your shrimp have been pot-caught, so you will need to talk to your fishmonger or the fishery itself in order to determine this information.)

• If you are concerned about environmental consequences when consuming farmed shrimp, The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch

  recommends that you restrict your intake to shrimp that have been raised in a fully re-circulating system. These systems make direct use of filtered seawater or try to recreate the mineral composition of seawater in freshwater. (You will often need to contact the supplier in order to determine whether this type of farming system was used.) Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) can make an excellent choice when farmed in this way.

• While U.S. farmed, freshwater shrimp are not widely available in the marketplace, they are also recommended by The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch

  as a Best Choice when choosing shrimp.

Health Benefits

Shrimp provide numerous health benefits including:

• Antioxidant support
• Appetite regulation
• Weight management

For more details on shrimp's health benefits, see this section of our shrimp write-up.

Nutritional Profile

Shrimp is an unusual source of the xanthophyll carotenoid called astaxanthin. It's also an excellent source of protein and selenium. This shellfish is a very good source of heart-healthy vitamin B12 and a good source of energy-promoting iron, phosphorus, and niacin; anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids; immune-supportive zinc; and bone-healthy copper and magnesium.

For more on this nutrient-rich seafood, including references related to this Latest News, see our write-up on shrimp.

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