Those in the health and nutrition industries have long understood the advantages of consuming seafood, but there are particular health benefits of eating crab legs. This high protein meal is not only delicious but can also potentially help you maintain better health. But what is it about crab legs that makes them such a power player when it comes to nutrition?
The fact is that crab legs have a variety of nutritional perks and health benefits, so read on to learn more.
The Nutritional Impact of Eating Crab Legs
It is frequently recommended that people consume fish at least twice a week to take advantage of the omega-3 fatty acids and other nutritional perks that can be good for our overall health. It is important to note that some studies show consuming crab meat might even be even better than eating finfish.
Some of the nutritional impacts and biggest health benefits of eating crab legs include:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Just as in other seafood, crab contains omega-3 fatty acids that are good for the brain and help protect against heart disease. While omega-3s can also be found in some oils and vegetables, they must be converted by the body into a long chain form. The omega-3s found in crab meat are already in long-chain form, which means the body does not have to expend energy converting it.
- Health experts advise that consuming the right amount of protein is good for the body and helps to keep us full. Yet, all sources of protein are not equal. For example, crab offers protein just like red meats, but without the saturated fats that can lead to heart disease.
- Vitamins and Minerals. Crab meat contains a variety of vitamins and minerals that are essential to the body.
- Copper: Compared to other fish such as salmon, as well as beef and chicken, crab meat can contain up to fifty times more copper. This mineral assists with iron absorption and storage and may yield a healthier immune system.
- Phosphorous: Crab contains high levels of the mineral phosphorous which can assist the body in a number of ways, including helping key organs like the kidneys and heart.
- Riboflavin: As a vitamin, riboflavin is water soluble and must be consumed through a well-balanced diet. Crab meat is an excellent source of this vitamin. Riboflavin is known to assist with iron absorption as well as the production of red blood cells.
- Selenium: While this mineral is found in some red meat and most seafood, it is particularly abundant in crab meat. Compared to red meat, crab is estimated to have 12 times as much selenium, which helps the body by supporting the immune system.
Potential Health Benefits of Eating Crab Legs
With the nutritional impact of crab legs in mind, now let’s turn to the potential health benefits of eating crab legs. Some of these benefits are:
- Better heart health. Because crab legs contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, consuming crab could help lower a person’s cholesterol levels which in turn may decrease their incidence of heart attack or stroke.
- Increased Circulation. One of the health benefits of eating crab legs is the intake of copper which assists with increased blood circulation which may assist the body in healing.
- Improved brain function. Because of the many vitamins and minerals contained in crab legs, eating them may aid with improved brain function by protecting against inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Stronger bones. Crab meat contains high levels of the mineral phosphorous, which is a key element, along with calcium, that builds stronger and healthier bones.
- Better weight management. Since crab meat contains vital vitamins and minerals as well as high protein without the high saturated fats, it can be a valuable tool in keeping weight in check.
Easy Ways To Incorporate Crab Meat into Your Diet
The two easiest ways to incorporate crab meat into your diet are to cook it yourself at home or order it in a restaurant. One takes a greater amount of time and know-how than the other. And the latter guarantees delicious crab every time without any fuss.
If cooking crab meat at home, make sure to pick up the freshest crab meat possible and plan to cook it on the same day. Don’t forget that to give crab legs that signature Cajun flair, you will need to have also purchased multiple spices. And last but not least, remember that if you are making the meal yourself, you will also need to include some sides to go along with it.
Ordering crab meat from a reputable seafood restaurant can provide more options. Whether you choose to dine in or grab a meal for takeout, boiled snow crab can be on the dinner table without much added effort. It doesn’t require you cook it or season it, it just comes ready to eat. Another bonus of ordering from a restaurant is that you can make sure the crab you are consuming is responsibly sourced from a provider. Restaurants should have a wide variety of side dishes to choose from such as corn, rice, coleslaw, and red potatoes that pair well with crab meat. And don’t forget the dipping sauces!
The health benefits of eating crab legs are excellent reasons to justify having them for dinner tonight. It can do the heart good to know that you are providing a healthy meal that the whole family can enjoy. If ordering out, you can enjoy more time with your loved ones without being tired from cooking.
If you love seafood but have been avoiding crab legs, what are you waiting for? Call or come by one of Houston’s many 7Spice Cajun Seafood restaurant locations today to get your fill of delicious and nutritious crab legs!