5 Health Benefits Of Crab, Nutrition, And Popular Recipes

Crab is a juicy, tender seafood with a rich nutritional profile. This edible marine species is popular among Southeast Asian dishes. The benefits of crabs are plenty, including their ability to improve bone health, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower Alzheimer’s diseaseⁱ  A mental condition that gradually impairs memory, thinking, and, ultimately, the capacity to do even the most basic tasks. risk, and enhance vision health. Here, we explore the health benefits of crab, its nutrition, and some of its potential downsides. Keep reading.

Know Your Ingredient: Crab

What Is It?
A crustacean with a hard shell whose meat is used in various dishes worldwide.

What Are Its Benefits?
Crab meat is rich in minerals that improve bone health. It contains omega-3 fatty acids that may help with heart health, as well as mental and cognitive functioning.

Who Can Consume It?
It is safe for consumption for all unless they suffer from shellfish allergy.

How Often?
It is nutritious and a lean meat that can be a part of a healthy diet plan.

Caution
People with seafood allergies should avoid crab meat entirely, and heart and hypertensive patients should avoid overconsumption.

What Are Crabs?

Crabs are terrestrial and aquatic creatures that are most commonly found in coastal regions. Similar to lobsters and crayfish, crabs are crustaceans that belong to the arthropodⁱ  A type of animal with a body divided into sections, no spine, hard outer skin, and joined-together legs. family. They have a hard outer shell that is made up of a protein called chiton and have four pairs of legs with two large claws. Male crabs are larger and meatier than female crabs. It is estimated that there are about 4500 species of crabs that can be found in both freshwater and saltwater. Blue crabs, king crab, and snow crab are some of the most commonly consumed varieties of crabs.

Crabs, along with various other types of seafood, are widely favored as a dietary option. Data derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reveals that in the years 2013-2016, approximately 20.1% of adults consumed seafood at least twice a week. However, it is noteworthy that the percentage of adults and young individuals who adhered to this dietary pattern of consuming seafood at least twice a week has shown a decline from 2005-2006 through 2015-2016.

Trivia

It is believed that the people who lived near the sea have been eating crabs since prehistoric times.

Nutritional Information

Crab meat is packed with vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and selenium (1). Selenium is important for the immune system and metabolism, potassium helps control blood pressure, while calcium and magnesium make your bones strong (2), (3), (4).

Crab Meat Nutritional Values Per 100g

From the above table, you can say that crab meat definitely packs a punch in the nutrition department. All of the minerals have numerous health benefits that will be discussed in the next section.

Health Benefits Of Crab Meat

Crab meat contains valuable nutrients like protein that is essential for building muscle (1). It is also rich in selenium and folate that are good for your health. If you are wondering, is crab meat healthy, the answer is, yes! Here are a few potential health benefits of crab meat in greater detail.

• Improves Bone Health

Crab meat is rich in calcium and phosphorus that are essential for the formation and strengthening of bones. Studies suggest that consuming seafood like crab may help in reducing calcium deficiency (5), (6).

• May Help Reduce The Risk Of Heart Diseases

Crab meat contains considerable amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that can promote heart health by reducing the risk of heart diseases.

It may also help in preventing obesity. Research shows that consuming food that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids helps reduce LDL cholesterol and lowers the risk of heart issues (5).

• May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease And Dementia

Seafood like crab meat contains long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and plasma fatty acids.

Small studies suggest that eating seafood like crab may have a positive effect in reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (7). Further research is required to establish its effectiveness.

• May Help Improve Eyesight, Reduce Inflammation, And Prevent Arthritis

Studies suggest that muscles and ovaries of certain crab species may help in improving eyesight and reduce inflammation. The presence of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in crab meat may help with inflammation and improve eyesight. It may also help prevent arthritis and other autoimmune diseasesⁱ  It is the condition in which your immune system attacks your body, leading to weariness, skin issues, and swollen glands. . Studies also suggest that a diet that is low in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may lead to neurological issues (8).

• May Help In Weight Management

Crab meat also contains omega-3 fatty acids. Studies suggest that eating food rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help in curbing appetite (9). Crab meat contains zero carbs, you can add it to your low-carb diet to help weight loss (1).

Crab meat as a delicacy is extremely popular across the world. Its great taste and potential health benefits make it a great culinary delight.

While crab meat has certain potential health benefits, it also has a few downsides. In the next section, let us look at some of the possible risks associated with crab meat.

Potential Downsides Of Eating Crab Meat

There is limited research available with regards to the downsides of eating crab meat. However, here are some of them that are backed up by studies.

• High In Sodium And Cholesterol

Crab meat is high in sodium and cholesterol. It has about 1070 mg of sodium and 53 mg of cholesterol per 100g, which is quite a lot. If you are hypertensive or a heart patient, it is advisable to avoid frequent consumption of crab meat and other food that is high in sodium. High sodium levels in your diet can raise your blood pressure levels that can become a factor for cardiovascular issues and stroke (1), (10).

• Affordability

Crab meat is definitely not cheap! In the USA, 1lb of canned crab meat can range anywhere from $53 – $150. In comparison to chicken and other meats, the meat-to-price ratio of crab meat may seem to be expensive.

• Difficult To Eat

For someone new to crab meat, eating an unshelled crab may seem like a challenge. You will require a cracker or splitter that will help crack the shell and the claws to eat the meat. You would also have to apply the correct amount of pressure on the right joints of the claw to extract the meat. It can be quite time-consuming to eat a crab. If you’ve starved yourself in anticipation of a nice crab claw dinner, you might just end up feeling a whole lot crabbier.

Having understood the potential benefits and side effects of eating crab meat, it’s time to whip some culinary delights.

Popular Recipes Using Crab

Is the thought of juicy and succulent crab meat stirring up your appetite? Well, you may just want to hold on to that a wee bit longer. Here is a simple recipe for delicious butter garlic crabs:

Butter Garlic Crabs

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients Required

• 250 g crab meat
• 1 whole pod of garlic finely chopped
• 2-3 green chilies chopped
• 2-3 tablespoons of butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt to taste
• ½ cup of water

Preparation

1. In a pan, heat olive oil and butter.
2. Add the garlic and sauté till it turns golden yellow.
3. Add the green chilies and cook for 15-20 seconds.
4. Add the crab meat and salt as per taste. Stir lightly.
5. Add some water and cover the pan with a lid and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Here is another easy crab soup recipe that you can make.

Crab Soup

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Ingredients Required

• 200 g crab meat
• 2 cups of milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 6 tablespoons butter
• Salt & pepper for garnish
• 100 ml dry sherry

Preparation

1. Melt the butter in a heavy bottom saucepan or stockpot.
2. Add crab meat, heavy cream, and milk. Bring it to a boil on medium heat.
3. Once boiled, simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Remove the vessel from heat and add dry sherry and stir it in.
5. Add salt and pepper as per taste and enjoy.

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 7 ounces of crab meat
• 1 pound of fresh mushrooms
• ¼ teaspoon of oregano
• ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon of ground savory
• 1/3 cup of mayonnaise
• ¼ teaspoon of paprika
• Ground black pepper to taste

Process

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix the crabmeat, thyme, oregano, parmesan, mayonnaise, savory, and pepper in a medium bowl.
3. Clean the mushrooms with a damp towel and remove stems.
4. Fill the mushroom caps with the crab mixture.
5. Sprinkle the tops with parmesan and paprika.
6. Bake the mushrooms for about 15 minutes and serve hot.

Trivia

During the Victorian period, the most common way to consume a crab was to boil and eat it cold.

These recipes are sure to leave you smacking your lips and licking your fingers.

Tisha, a photographer and blogger, shared how she likes to relish crab. She writes, “Crack into a crab claw, suck out the mingled juices of the crab and coconut milk. Dig into the sweet flesh of the crab’s body, coated with the dark flavor of roasted coconut, chile, and coriander (i).”

Infographic: Health Benefits Of Crab Meat

Crab is known for its tender texture. It is rich in nutrients that are responsible for the health benefits it offers. Including crab as a part of the diet is believed to promote overall health.

The following infographic provides information about the major benefits of crab. Check it out!’

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is crab healthier than fish?

Crab meat and fish (like salmon, one of the healthiest fishes) are equally nutritious. While crab meat is richer in vitamins and minerals with fewer calories, salmon is a better choice for omega fatty acids (1), (11).

Can I eat crab every day?

Possibly. While there is no standardized recommended daily intake for crab meat, you can eat it in moderation daily.

Is crab good for the liver?

There is no scientific evidence that consuming crab meat is good for the liver.

Does crab make you sleepy?

Seafood like crab meat is a good source of omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D, which have been reported to be related to sleep quality (12).

Which crab is best to eat?

Generally, a firm, succulent, slightly sweet crab that has long legs so it’s easy to eat is preferred. Crystal crab, blue crab, snow crab, and king crab are some of the best crabs to eat.

Is crab good for fertility?

Possibly. Crab meat is a good source of omega fatty acids, which may help boost sexual activity. A research study has shown that consumption of seafood a couple of times a week may help couples improve their fertility (13).

Can diabetic people eat crab?

Yes. Diabetic patients can consume crab meat in moderation safely. It is nutrient-dense and low in sugar and carbs, so it benefits your overall health (1).

Illustration: Health Benefits Of Crab Nutrition And Popular Recipes

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Raelene SolerPG, RN

 

Raelene Soler is a state registered nutritionist and has over 8 years of experience in the field of nutrition and dietetics. She also has a postgraduate degree in Nursing Studies. She works at a state hospital and the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department.

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Varsha PatnaikHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Varsha holds a master's degree in biotechnology from Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, and is a certified diet and nutrition coach with two years of experience. She combines her scientific knowledge and her passion for writing to produce research-backed content in the health and wellness domain.

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Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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