The sweet, tangy, and salty flavors of crab are loved by every sea-food lover. Any dish with crabs in it personifies the flavors, which are delectable and fresh and are a good pick among the seafood delicacies. Not only it tastes delicious, but it also carries a lot of essential nutrients, so it is easier to say that a portion of crabs is packed with numerous health benefits. If you do not like the smell of fish flesh and want to try something other than this traditional seafood, you will love the flavorful goodness of crabs.
The history of consuming crabs dates back almost 90,000 years ago as archaeologists discovered the remaining crabs, which shows that early people used to consume crabs, and it was also the favorite seafood of the Native Americans. Today, it is popularly used in stews, sushi, and spaghetti and is added with other delicacies to enhance the flavors. Crab meat is as beneficial as other meat and is packed with Vitamin B12, Protein, Folate, Niacin, Iron, and Selenium, and together these nutrients help in improving overall well-being and especially improving chronic health conditions.
The legs and claws of crabs are widely used for their delicious taste and nutritional value. Crab legs are rich in protein and contain a few calories, so adding it to your weight loss diet is another plus point of consuming crabs.
Types of Edible Crabs
The exoskeleton of crabs has several health benefits, and the crab legs, which are cooked as a whole, are more delicious and flavorsome. Crabs are easily available in the market as there are almost 4,400 varieties of crabs, out of which the most popularly consumed types of crabs are:
- Blue crab or Calinectes sapidus
- Horseshoe crab or Limulus polyphemus
- Peekytoe crab
- King crab or Paralithodes camtschaticus
- Rock crab or Cancer quanbumi
- Dungeness crab or Cancer magister
- Stone crab or Menippe mercenaria
- Queen crab
Health Benefits of Crab Legs
Crab meat has a delicate texture with a sweet aroma that tingles pleasantly on the taste buds. Since the cooked crabs have more boney flesh, you will surely enjoy a wholesome goodness of nutrients. One leg of crab serves almost 25g of protein with zero trans fat and does not bother those who are struggling with increased blood cholesterol levels.
Have a look at the health benefits which are associated with the consumption of crab legs.
Weight Management
Adding crab legs into your diet does wonders in terms of weight loss. Since one serving of crab contains 80 to 90 calories, the meat of the crab legs is perfect to add to your weight loss diet plan. For fitness freaks and gym enthusiasts, eating crab legs provides a clean source of protein that aids in muscle building.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
The healthy unsaturated fats in the legs of the crabs are essential for the better functioning of the heart. The polyunsaturated fatty acids or omega-3 fatty acids in crab meat improve heart health with their anti-inflammatory properties. The zinc in crab meat is essential to lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the chances of heart strokes.
Boost in the Immune System
Crab meat is a rich selenium source and contains more than other meats. Selenium actively works as an antioxidant that boosts the body’s immune system and prevents any cell damage, for people who complain of being lethargic due to slow metabolism, consuming crab legs can be really helpful in regulating the metabolism rate.
Prevents Anemia
Iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies are the potential causes of anemia, and anyone suffering from anemic can benefit from the healthy meat of crab legs. Since crab meat is rich in folate, iron, and Vitamin B12, consuming it helps your blood make healthy red blood cells and prevent anemia. If you feel weak or fatigued all the time, there are possible chances that your blood lacks a healthy RBC count, which can be improved by consuming crab legs.
Improves Blood Circulation
As stated earlier, crab is a rich source of omega-3, and simultaneously, it also contains copper. While omega-3 helps ensure a smooth blood flow, copper helps in fast iron absorption, which boosts the production of red blood cells. Crab meat helps speed up the healing process in case of any injury by improving blood circulation.
Improves Bone Health
Calcium and phosphorus are essential to strengthen your bones, and by adding crab legs into your diet, you are ensuring to fuel your body with the right amount of phosphorous. Not only is it beneficial for your teeth but also for your bones, and it prevents you from any type of bone disease.
Dishes to Make with Crab Legs
The health benefits of crab legs are phenomenal, and once you have decided to add crab meat to your diet, there numerous delicious dishes which you can make with crab leg being the main ingredient. You can eat the meat directly from the crab legs, use it as a salad topping, fill it in your sandwich, add it to the tacos, or make a crab cake.
Some of the famous fishes which you can make with crab legs are:
- Open-faced Crab Empanadas
- Warm Piquillo and Crab Dip
- Spicy Crab Bisque
- Seafood Boiled with Cajun seasoning
- Crispy Crab Cake with Tomato Butter
- Blue Crab Beignets
- Spaghetti with crab and poblano cream
Bottom Line
A wide range of vitamins and minerals are abundant in crabs. However, we know that excess of everything is bad. The side effects of nutrient-dense crabs are probably caused by consuming specific nutrients in excess. Crabs are highly beneficial for improving blood cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and cardiovascular health. You may easily find succulent carb legs anywhere in the market. People prefer crab over other seafood because its meat has a mild flavor and readily absorbs the seasoning flavor you use when cooking it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there any side effects of consuming crabs?
Crab is a healthy diet containing no serious toxins, so unless the person has any seafood allergy, crab meat will not harm the health. A portion of crab meat contains a good amount of sodium, so people who cannot tolerate such high concentrations of sodium shouldn’t consume crab meat in larger proportions.
Are there any healthy alternatives to crab meat that contain lesser sodium concentration?
The safe and healthy alternatives of crab meat with lesser sodium concentration are flounder, salmon, jackfruit, pollock fish, and raw clams.
How many calories are there in one cup serving of cooked crab?
Since crab meat does not contain many calories, you may easily add it into your weight loss diet. A single cup of cooked crab contains up to 112 calories and only 1 gram of fats.
Can I eat crab legs while on a diet?
Crab meat does not contain too many calories, and adding it to your diet plan helps provide you with enough protein while also not significantly increasing your caloric count.
Are all types of crab edible?
Not all types of crabs are edible, as some of them might contain harmful toxins.
What are the edible types of crabs?
Some popularly used crabs are King crab, Softshell crab, Stone crab, Dungeness crab, and Blue crab.
What is the most expensive and tastiest type of edible crab?
Red King Crab is considered to be an expensive edible crab that also has the most pleasant flavors.
Which is the sweetest type of edible crab?
Blue Crab is considered the sweetest edible crab and among the most popular and tastiest crabs.
Which country is the largest consumer of crab meat?
China is the largest consumer of crab meat, with 1.8 tons of crab meat consumption.
Are crabs halal?
According to most Islamic scholars, crab is completely halal if it is not prepared with toxic substances such as alcohol.
How many legs does a crab have?
A crab is a crustacean which means it has ten legs. The front pair of legs has claws attached to them.
What are the carbs groups known as?
The group of carbs is known as ‘casts,’ and it may comprise only a few crabs or hundreds and thousands of crabs living together.
What are the types of crab legs easily available in the market?
There are primarily two types of crab legs available in the market, including King and Snow.
How much do crab legs cost?
Snow crab legs cost around $12 to $15 per pound, while King crab legs cost around $25 per pound.
Is crab a fish or meat?
Crab is not a fish but a popular seafood; its meat is also called crab marrow.
How to boil crabs?
Fill a bowl with water, add salt, and bring it to a boil. Once it reaches the boiling point, add crabs in it and cover the bowl with a lid. Let it boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Once it is completely boiled, take it out and put it on a plate. Wait till the crab is completely cooled before proceeding with the cooking procedure.
Are crab legs healthy for weight loss?
Crab legs are highly beneficial for their protein-rich content with little to no fat. It contains a very minimum amount of calories, making it a healthy diet for weight loss.
How many crab legs should I eat?
The suggested number of crab legs to eat is one and a half pounds per individual for crab lovers.
Do crab legs have a lot of fat?
Crab legs do not have a lot of fat and contain only a few caloric contents with zero trans fat in one serving.
John Davis is a passionate content writer with a knack for crafting engaging narratives across various subjects. With a keen eye for detail and a love for storytelling, John brings ideas to life through the power of words. His dedication to delivering high-quality and informative content has made him a trusted voice in the digital realm. When he’s not at his desk, you’ll find John exploring new hobbies and seeking inspiration in the world around him.
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