Eggshells are the egg’s exterior covering, which has a thin outer layer that keeps microorganisms from invading the egg. A membrane often exists under the eggshell to separate it from the egg white. Eggshells are 95% calcium carbonate, with the remainder made up of proteins and other minerals.
Every breakfast on your table will almost certainly include an egg, whether scrambled, poached, boiled, or pan-fried.
Eggshells often accumulate in your garbage, raising the question, can eggshells be eaten? You certainly can. Eggshells provide several health advantages since calcium carbonate is the major ingredient that may aid in bone building. They may also be used as animal feed, fertilizer, and compost.
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Is Eating Eggshells Bad for You?
If you like eggs, you probably have a lot of eggshells about your house. Instead of throwing them in the trash, clean them thoroughly and thoroughly to eradicate any germs. You may be wondering whether eating eggshells is dangerous for you.
No, it doesn’t. In reality, eggshells are good for your health since they are packed in nutrients. You may bake them for a few minutes and then crush them into a powder to add to juices, smoothies, or to include into your meals.
Eggshells provide the following health benefits:
Benefit #1: Good Source of Dietary Calcium
Calcium is an important nutrient that is required for the majority of human body activities, including bone building. Calcium may be found in a variety of foods, including dairy products and vegetables.
You may eat an eggshell to meet your daily calcium requirement since the body absorbs calcium faster from it. In compared to pure calcium carbonate, it is.
Benefit #2: Help Strengthen Bones
Eggshell powder, prepared by crushing eggshells, is used as a calcium supplement, reducing bone loss that occurs with age. It is especially advantageous for postmenopausal women, who often develop osteopenia as a result of decreasing bone mass density.
Benefit #3: Improve Joint Health
The eggshell membrane includes the protein collagen, which functions as a therapy for osteoarthritis symptoms such as joint pain or stiffness.
What are Other Uses of Eggshells?
Besides from eating your eggshells, there are many other things you can do with them. Before using them, properly clean them to remove any germs that may be present. To do so, clean them inside and out to remove any egg residue and membrane. Bake for approximately 10 minutes on a baking sheet.
Eggshells may be helpful to your skin, a cleaning agent, and a whitener for your garments.
Eggshells may be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Make a Nourishing Face Mask
Use a blender or pestle and mortar to grind the dried eggshells, then combine the powder with an egg white to make a skin-tightening face mask. Apply it to your face and let it dry before washing.
- Treat Skin Irritations
For this method, get out your bottle of apple cider vinegar from the cupboard. Place several eggshells in a small bottle of apple cider vinegar and soak for two days. The mixture may then be dabbed on irritated skin or mild skin irritations.
- Powerful Cleaner
Eggshells, when powdered, create an excellent non-toxic abrasive for cleaning difficult-to-clean cooking pans and pots. All you have to do is combine them with some soapy water and clean them, and you’re done! You have gleaming pots.
You may also use them to clean hummingbird feeders and small containers, such as thermoses.
- Laundry Whitener
Put some eggshells into a mesh bag and drop them in the washing machine with your white clothing. You will see that the gray tinge in your whites has vanished.
How Do You Prepare Eggshells?
After learning about all the amazing advantages of eggshells, you may find yourself salivating over every eggshell you come across. If they haven’t been cleaned, don’t be tempted to eat them since they might house a variety of disease-causing germs. Moreover, the ideal method to consume them is in powder form.
Collect some eggshells and proceed as follows to produce the powder:
- Clean and sterilize them to eliminate the risk of salmonella or other bacterial infections by boiling them in water.
- Remove them from the pot, spread them on a drying paper towel, and leave them to dry overnight.
- Bake them at 250 degrees to dry them completely.
- Make the powder by grinding them using a pestle and mortar, coffee grinder, blender, or a spice mill.
- Finally, store the eggshell powder in an airtight mason jar in a cool, dry place.
After that, you may combine the powder into your numerous cuisines. Yogurt, smoothies, and nut butter are all good places to put your eggshell powder.
Yet, you may notice a gritty feel in your cuisine. The powder may be used in baking dishes such as bread, cookies, or brownies. It is almost invisible in these and other healthy meals. Half a teaspoon of eggshell powder each day provides 400-500 milligrams of calcium, which is close to the RDA.
Large bits of eggshell should be avoided since they might irritate the throat and harm the esophagus. Consuming an excessive amount of eggshells might result in renal troubles.
Final Thoughts
- It is safe to eat eggshells since they contain calcium carbonate, which is beneficial to your health, like strengthening your bones.
- Eating eggshells are good for you since they are a source of dietary calcium, help strengthen your bones, and improve joint health.
- Besides eating, eggshells have other uses such as a laundry whitener, treat skin irritations, make a nourishing face mask, and many more.
- Before using your eggshells, it is wise to prepare them by cleaning them, grinding them into a powder form, and storing them properly. It is important not to eat big pieces since you could risk damaging your organs, such as the esophagus and kidneys.