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
 In addition to calcium and protein, eggshells also contain small amounts of other minerals, including strontium, fluoride, magnesium and selenium. Just like calcium, these minerals may play a role in bone health.
It May Reduce the Risk of Osteoporosis
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.
Eggshell Membrane Supplements May Benefit Joint Health
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.

Risks of Eating Eggshells
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.