Caridea which is also known as Caridean shrimp, belongs to the phylum Arthropoda and order Decapoda. It lives in both salt and fresh water. Mostly the carideans are omnivorous. The body of the shrimp is divided into three categories such as head, thorax and abdomen (tail). Shrimp have short legs and two pair of claws. It is small in size. Some of the shrimp are hermaphrodites and have separate sexes. They are able to change the sex from male to female. About 2800 species of shrimp are found in world.  The shell of shrimp is hard that is colorless or transparent due to which it becomes difficult to see in water. As they are small, it becomes a prey to predators such as fish, crabs, starfish, sea urchins, whales, puffins, sharks, dolphins and humans.

Types of Caridean Shrimp

1. White Shrimp

These shrimp are large in size with tender texture and mild flavor. It adds texture when it is combined with sauces or seasonings. It has mild flavor. It is mostly used in soups, pasta and curry.

2. Brown Shrimp

It is not large like white shrimp but possess more vigorous flavor. It has firm texture and used in thick stews or stuffs. It has strong flavor. It is mostly used in stuffing and etouffee.

3. Black Tiger Shrimp

The shrimp having black and white striping in the back is Black Tiger shrimp. It is inherent to Southeast Asia. It has mild flavor and firm texture. It is mostly used with strong seasonings and chili.

4. Mexican Shrimp

It has white, blue and brown varieties. It has got superior taste and firm texture. It is usually served in cocktail style, main entrée and pasta.

http://www.sysco.com/health/documents/superior-shrimp–product-catalog-013015.pdf

Nutritional value

85 grams of cooked shrimp contains the minerals such as 60 mg of calcium, 0.43 mg of iron, 33 mg of magnesium, 201 mg of phosphorus, 220 mg of potassium, 94 mg of sodium, 1.39 mg of zinc, 0.322 mg of copper and 0.028 mg of manganese. The same amount serves 63.18 g of moisture, 84 calories, 20.38 g of protein, 0.24 g of total fat, 1.04 g of ash and 0.17 g of carbohydrate.

Health Benefits of Shrimp

Caridean measures about a few millimeters in length when it is grown fully. It has one pair of stalked eyes. It is packed with Vitamin D, protein, Zinc and Vitamin B3. It is a food free from carbohydrates. It possesses cancer preventive, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties that help to lower the health problems. It provides relief from eye fatigue, menstrual pain and macular degeneration.

1. Lose weight

It is an excellent source of Vitamin D and protein. Zinc in high amounts helps to increase the level of leptin in the body which plays a vital role to regulate appetite and fat storage appetite. The high presence of leptin avoids the problems such as inexplicable cravings and overeating. (1)

2. Slows down ageing

Skin aging is the common problem which is caused due to the sunlight. The sunlight exposure or UVA results in spots, wrinkles and sunburn. The addition of shrimp to the diet promotes the skin health. It has high content of astaxanthin which is an antioxidant that helps to lower the chances of skin aging associated with sunlight and UVA. The addition of shrimp cocktail to the diet lowers the chances of skin wrinkles and spots. (2) (3)

3. Macular degeneration

The studies show that heparin is a compound that helps to cure neovascular AMD. Shrimp has astaxanthin which provides relief from eye fatigue. (4) (5)

4. Prevent hair loss

The minerals in Shrimp help to promote the hair health. Hair loss is caused due to the deficiency of zinc. It has a vital role in the formation of new cells such as skin or hair cells. (6)

5. Cardiovascular problems

The shrimp paste possess fibrinolytic enzyme which is essential for the thrombolytic therapy which breaks the harmful blood clots in the blood vessels. It helps to prevent the chances of cardiovascular ailments. The high content of Omega-3 fatty acid eradicates the cholesterol in bloodstream. It also lowers the chances of strokes and heart attacks. (7)

6. Brain function

The high content of iron in Shrimp is essential for the process of bonding of oxygen in hemoglobin. Iron assist to rise in flow of oxygen to muscles, provides endurance and strength. It also increases the flow of oxygen to brain. The study shows that astaxanthin assist to promote the memory performance, lowers the brain diseases and survival of brain cells. (8) (9) (10)

7. Anti-cancer properties

Shrimp has astaxanthin that helps to lower the chances of cancer. It also possesses selenium that reduces the chances of cancer such as lung and prostate cancer. Selenium counteracts free radicals that could lead to cancer. It upgrades the immune system and inhibits the tumors that grow in blood vessels. (11) (12) (13)

8. Lowers menstrual pain

Shrimp has omega-3 fatty acids which is beneficial cholesterol that balances the adverse effects of Omega-6 fatty acids and also helps to eradicate the menstrual cramps in women. It promotes the flow of blood in reproductive organs by lowering the damage of cholesterol. (14)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-t3C1VzTm8

Precautions                                                                                             

1. Mercury

Shrimp has high content of mercury which is harmful for the human health. It could lead to vision problems, mercury poisoning and lower fetal health. It should be consumed in moderate amounts to avoid the mercury poisoning.

2. Purines

The high amount of purines in the body could be harmful for the person who is suffering from gout. It has high amounts of purine which could be harmful for the gout patients that is caused due to high presence of uric acid.

3. Food Allergies

Shrimp might cause allergic reactions. The high intake of seafood could increase the chances of allergic reactions.

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/animal-product/health-benefits-of-shrimp.html

How to Eat         

• Shrimp could be boiled, grilled, broiled, baked and fried.
• The chopped shrimp is combined with chopped tomatoes, scallions, garlic, diced chili peppers, lemon juice and olive oil. It could be served on salad.
• The cold and cooked shrimp is served with salsa dip.
• Cut up cooked shrimp and add it to vegetable soups.
• The cooked shrimp could be added to the spicy pasta sauce which could be added to the wheat noodles.
• It is used as an ingredient in salads, appetizers and chowders.
• Scampi is a shrimp which is broiled or sautéed in butter and garlic.

Other Facts        

• The legs, rostrum and eyes grow out of hard shell.
• It lays about one million of eggs which hatch in two weeks.
• It could live in both saltwater and freshwater.
• Americans consume about one billion of shrimp in a year.
• May 9 is regarded as National Shrimp Day.
• Some could live up to six and half years.
• Shrimp is born a male which turns to female when they get mature.
• It has ten legs.
• Uncooked shrimp is called green.

References:

https://www.reference.com/health/danger-eating-much-shrimp-fa00dd9e00655532 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/558396-what-is-the-effect-of-eating-shrimp-on-arthritis/ 

http://kylenorton.healthblogs.org/2011/12/19/the-world-most-healthy-foods-seafoods-shrimps-health-benefits-and-side-effects-2/  

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=107 

http://mobile-cuisine.com/did-you-know/shrimp-fun-facts/ 

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