Egg Shell Powder Benefits And Risks
In this article, I will be guiding my readers on eggshell powder
benefits and risks, with knowledge, gotten from my extensive research on this
topic. An eggshell is the hard, outer covering of an egg. It consists mostly of
calcium carbonate, a common form of calcium. The rest is made up of protein and
other minerals.
Eggshell Powder Is an
Effective Calcium Supplement
Calcium is an essential mineral that is abundant in many foods,
including dairy products. Lower amounts are also found in many leafy and root
vegetables.
In the past decades, eggshell powder processed from hen eggs has
been used as a natural calcium supplement. Eggshells are roughly 40% calcium,
with each gram providing 381–401 mg.
Half an eggshell may provide enough calcium to meet the daily
requirements for adults, which is 1,000 mg per day. Eggshells consist of
calcium carbonate, along with small amounts of protein and other organic
compounds.
Calcium carbonate is the most common form of calcium in nature,
making up seashells, coral reefs and limestone. It is also the cheapest and
most widely available form of calcium in supplements.
Studies in rats and piglets confirm that eggshells are a rich
calcium source. Moreover, they are absorbed as effectively as pure calcium
carbonate.
A study in isolated cells found that calcium absorption was up
to 64% greater from eggshell powder compared to pure calcium carbonate.
Researchers attributed these effects to certain proteins found in eggshells
Osteoporosis is a health condition characterized by weak bones and
an increased risk of bone fractures. In 2010, it affected an estimated 54
million older Americans.
Old age is one of the strongest risk factors for osteoporosis,
but inadequate calcium intake may also contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis
overtime.
If your diet is lacking calcium, taking supplements may help you
reach your daily requirements. Eggshell powder is a cheap option.
One study in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis found that
taking an eggshell powder, along with vitamin D3 and magnesium, significantly
strengthened their bones by improving bone mineral density.
The eggshell powder may even be more effective at reducing
osteoporosis risk than purified calcium carbonate.
A study in Dutch, postmenopausal women found that eggshell
powder improved bone mineral density in the neck compared to a placebo. In
contrast, purified calcium carbonate did not significantly improve it.
The eggshell membrane is located between the eggshell and the
egg white. It is easily visible when you peel a boiled egg.
While technically not part of the eggshell, it is usually
attached to it. When making eggshell powder at home, there is no need for you
to remove the membrane.
Eggshell membrane mainly consists of protein in the form of
collagen. It also contains small amounts of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine
and other nutrients.
Eggshell membrane
also helps in inflammatory bowel disease
Fine powder made from eggshell membrane showed positive effects
against inflammatory bowel disease, according to in vitro and in
vivo studies conducted
at the University of Tokyo.
During the in vitro
experiments, the eggshell membrane (ESM) lessened inflammation and promoted
colon cell proliferation. On the other hand, in the in vivo experiment, ESM
significantly suppressed the disease activity index (DAI) and colon shortening
colitis- induced mice.
The researchers found
that ESM not only regulated cell proliferation and restitution but also
ameliorated energy metabolism as well as intestinal microbiota dysbiosis. These
effects might be attributed due to altered host defence and decreased
susceptibility of the host to intestinal inflammation.
ESM is a source of
non- digestible protein which may have a physiological function similar to that
of dietary fibre that helps to stimulate intestinal fermentation and alter the
intestinal bacterial composition.
Taking into
consideration the minimal side effects of ESM as a by-product in the
manufacturing of egg products, the use of this natural, low priced waste
products appear to be a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment
of inflammatory bowel disease.
When prepared correctly, the eggshell powder is considered safe.
There are just a few things you need to keep in mind.
First, do not attempt to swallow large fragments of eggshell as
they might injure your throat and oesophagus.
Second, eggshells may be contaminated with bacteria, such
as Salmonella enteritidis. To avoid the risk of food poisoning, make sure to boil eggs
before eating their shell.
Finally, natural calcium supplements may contain relatively high
amounts of toxic metals, including lead, aluminium, cadmium and mercury.
However, the amounts of these toxic elements in eggshells tend
to be lower than in other natural calcium sources, such as oyster shells, and
is generally not a concern.
SUMMARY
To prevent the risk of injury or infection,
eggshells should be boiled and ground into powder before you eat them.
Taking eggshell powder may improve bone
strength in people with osteoporosis. One study indicates that it may be more
effective than purified calcium carbonate supplements.
Getting enough dietary calcium is easy for
most people.
However, others do not meet their daily requirements because of
restrictive diets, low food intake or food shortage. For these people, cheap
sources of calcium like eggshells may prove useful.
Not to mention, using eggshells is an excellent way to reduce
your kitchen waste, even by just a little bit.
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