Don’t get crabby when we tell you you’re probably not eating enough crab in your diet. Crab is a delicious seafood choice that many enjoy, whether indulging in rich crab cakes, crab legs, salads, and a multitude of other recipes. Not only is crab a delicious crustacean, but it is also a great source of health benefits, so you need to make sure you’re getting some of it in your diet. The health benefits of crab extend much farther than just tasting good, as this crustacean is full of phosphorous, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, copper, and B vitamins.
Health Benefits of Crab
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is high in crab meat, and phosphorus is an important mineral to the growth of bones and teeth. Phosphorous is a mineral that makes up 1% of our entire body weight, making it the second most abundant mineral in the entire human body. It’s present in every cell. Many only think of bone and teeth health concerning calcium, but phosphorus can be just as important as calcium in your diet.
Phosphorus also helps the body remove waste and repair damaged tissues and also plays a role in how our bodies process carbohydrates, or sugars. It also contributes to bodily functions that include:
- Heartbeat regulation
- Muscle contraction
- Kidney function
- The Nervous System
Some of the numerous health benefits of including crab and the phosphorus found within its meat are:
- Keep bones and teeth strong
- Help muscles contract
- Aid in muscle recovery after exercise
- Filtering and removing waste from your kidneys
- Promoting healthy nerve conduction throughout your body
- Making DNA and RNA
- Managing your body’s energy usage and storage
For a great source of both calcium and phosphorus, crab luckily has both so that you can get a helping of each in one serving of crab.
Omega-3
We’ve heard a lot about those omega-3 fatty acids recently, especially with heart health, and that’s because of how beneficial they are to our heart health. The three main Omega-3 fatty acids are ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosatetraenoic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid.) Crabmeat, like seafood, is rich in DHA and EPA. Our bodies can convert some ALA into EPA and DHA, but only in tiny amounts. That means getting EPA and DHA from seafood is the only practical way to increase these levels of omega-3 fatty acids in your body.
Omega-3s are important components of the membranes that surround each cell in your body. DHA levels are especially high in the retina (your eyes), and your brain. Omega-3s also provide the calories needed for energy.
Omega-3 fatty acids help balance cholesterol levels, as well as promote anti-inflammatory benefits throughout the body. They also will help keep your heart functioning well and can even help you prevent getting heart disease later on in life! It certainly is a great step forward.
Selenium
At this point, keeping our immune systems up is of the utmost importance to us, which is why crab is something you should be adding to your diet. Crabmeat has selenium, which has been shown to have a direct link to stimulating immune system activity, and it also is an antioxidant, which helps with free radicals and keeping your body healthy and ready to tackle the next adventure. Antioxidants will also protect your cells from damage.
- Selenium is a trace mineral we need to get through our diet.
- This is a mineral essential for thyroid health and a working metabolism.
- Selenium lowers oxidative damage which does more than just boost heart health but lowers inflammation and strengthens your immune system.
Protein
Crab meat is one of the best dietary sources of protein available. Did you know it contains almost as much protein per 100 grams or 3 ounces as other meats but without the high levels of saturated fats that are often linked to heart disease? A healthier protein for a healthier diet is fantastic, but crab meat is also lacking in connective tissues which makes it highly digestible for all ages.
Riboflavin (B2)
If you didn’t know, vitamins are water-soluble. This means they are not stored in the body and they must be renewed and obtained through our diet. Crabmeat is an excellent source for B2, which helps in the production of steroids, red blood cells, the promotion of normal growth, the maintenance of your skin, eyes, and nervous system. Riboflavin, or B2, also plays a role in iron absorption in the digestive tracts and if you are an athlete or bodybuilder, take note! Turnover of Riboflavin in the human body is thought to be related to your energy expenditure, so if you are physically active intensively you may need to increase the B2 in your diet. Crab is a perfectly delicious means to do so!
And yet another mineral that crab meat is rich with is copper. This mineral is often overlooked in dietary needs, but copper does have several benefits to our bodies. For instance, it helps us absorb iron in the stomach as much as B2 does.
At Wholey, we don’t simply sell seafood and meats, we learn and love everything about them, including our vast selection of crab meat. Whether you are looking to add the plentiful health benefits of crab to your diet or experimenting with different seafood recipes, we'll have everything you need, delivered right to your door!
Eat healthier, more wholesome meals with the freshest crab meat on the market today, delivered to your home for easier meal planning and body-boosting benefits.