Egg Shell Health Benefits

Most of the time, eggshells are discarded without considering that these things are a powerhouse of nutrients and health benefits.

When one looks closer, egg shell health benefits become hard to ignore. Packed with essential minerals, these useless scraps can play an important role in maintaining bone health, joint function, and even skincare.

The following article will discuss many of the health benefits of eggshells, as well as ways you may incorporate them into your regimen for a healthier life.

What Is an Eggshell?

An eggshell is the hard outside part of an egg. It is primarily composed of a common form of calcium, calcium carbonate. The rest of the eggshell is composed of protein and other minerals.

Calcium is an important mineral plentiful in many foods. It is found in a wide variety of foods.

By far the richest sources are dairy products. It is also found in many leafy and root vegetables in lesser amounts.

In the past decades, eggshell powder, processed from hen eggs, has served as a natural supplement of calcium.

According to research by Magnuson, approximately, 40% of eggshells are made up of calcium, with each gram providing 381-401 mg.

Half of an eggshell could offer adequate calcium for meeting the daily needs of adults, which stands at 1,000 mg per day.

But the egg shell health benefits don’t stop there. Eggshells are also a source of collagen, which is important for the health of joints, skin, and other connective tissues.

The richness in minerals that is in eggshells makes them extremely valuable when prepared and used correctly for incorporation into your diet.

1. Strengthening Bones and Teeth

Probably one of the most important egg shell health benefits is that they can help reinforce the bones and teeth.

Calcium, accounting for about 95% of the eggshell, is a major constituent of bone density and stability.

As we grow older, bones lose part of their mass and become more vulnerable to fractures, as well as diseases such as osteoporosis.

The consumption of egg shells-even if properly treated contributes to a growth spurt in your intake of calcium, an essential component for good bone health.

On one side, research by Trends in Food Science has demonstrated that calcium carbonate coming from egg shells is highly bioavailable, and therefore well absorbed in the body, for bone health support.

The mineral helps to maintain adequate levels of blood calcium and supplies bones with the necessary nutrients to maintain strength and durability.

More importantly, the trace elements of magnesium and phosphorus are found within egg shells; both are also considered vital for bone and dental health.

Magnesium enhances the absorption of calcium, while phosphorus works with calcium in the formation of the bone matrix.

2. Help Support Joint Health

One natural source of collagen, a very important protein in the health of your joints, tendons, and cartilage, is eggshells.

Collagen gives structure and elasticity to these tissues and thus helps with the integrity of the joints and the risk of injuries to them.

Evidence exists that eggshell membranes-thin membranes situated just underneath the shell-can prevent joint pain and improve mobility, especially in people with osteoarthritis.

The collagen and other bioactive compounds present in egg shells may help with joint lubrication, reduce inflammation, or promote cartilage regeneration, thus improving joint health.

Consuming eggshells can, therefore, be an effective dietary way to support the health of your joints, especially when you get older.

You can use supplements added for that reason with eggshell powder, or you can crush the eggshells into powder and add them to the smoothies or foods you will be consuming.

3. Skin Health Improvement

Egg shell health benefits cannot be confined to the circle of bones and joints; it contributes to healthier skin through the collagen and amino acids it contains, which are vital in the maintenance of skin elasticity, being well-hydrated, and looking good.

Collagen is one of those building blocks of skin that is responsible for keeping it firm and looking youthful.

This could help with skin texture improvement, wrinkle reduction, blemishes, or scars, either by the usage of an eggshell or by applying dust to the eggshell topically.

Hence, these also make them very popular in the beauty and skin care industries as supplements in the form of collagen extracted from such eggshells.

Moreover, among the trace minerals in egg shells, the most significant for the skin are zinc and copper.

Zinc is anti-inflammatory in action; thus, it diminishes skin irritation, hence reducing the number of acne cases.

RELATED: Lemon Juice Benefits For Skin

Copper plays a role in collagen production, thus giving one a glowing complexion.

4. Natural Detoxification

According to the Journal of Molecular Liquids, egg shells are capable of absorbing heavy metals and toxins out of the body.

That means eggshells can act like some form of natural cleanser in trying to help flush out harmful substances so that organs in your body can work optimally.

Eggshells can help reduce levels of toxic metals like lead in the body and, therefore, are useful for anyone who has been exposed to environmental pollutants or any other harmful chemicals.

This detoxifying effect is especially useful in people staying in highly polluted regions or those working with chemicals that might slowly accumulate in the body.

While eggshells cannot replace professional medical detox programs, they can certainly support the natural detox processes of the body if included in a healthy diet.

5. Improve Digestive Health

Eggshell powder has also been used for the treatment of digestive disorders.

Calcium and trace minerals present in eggshells support the production of digestive enzymes that assist in the digestion of food for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.

A good level of calcium can regulate stomach acid and promote normal digestion without creating problems like acid reflux or indigestion.

Moreover, egg shells are comprised of proteins and amino acids that could help heal the lining inside the digestive tract.

This can be very useful for those who have gastrointestinal disorders, such as leaky gut syndrome or IBDs.

How To Include Egg Shells Into Your Diet

While these egg shell health benefits seem important, there could be questions regarding how to bring them into daily life.

It is important to prepare them well so that no risk of bacteria or contamination remains, especially when raw eggs are used. Herein explains how safely to use eggshells:

Clean and Sterilize: After an egg is cracked, the shell is washed clean of residual egg white or yolk. You can also sterilize the shells by boiling them in water for 10-15 minutes.
Dry the Shells: Place cleaned shells in the oven on a baking sheet at 200°F (93°C) for about 30 minutes, until they become brittle and easily crushed.
Grind into Powder: Once the egg shells become so dry they are brittle, they can be ground into a fine powder in either a coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle. The powder can then be added to smoothies or baked goods, or sprinkled over your food.
Supplements: For people who are not keen on making their eggshell powder, one can get the eggshell supplements available at any health store or online. These are usually in capsule form or powder and are designed for easy consumption.

A Word From GetMe Treated

There are many benefits to using eggshells for health, strengthening bones and joints, improving skin health, and facilitating digestive processes.

This is something the nutrient value from eggshells deserves recognition and no longer be seen as a waste product.

These humble leftovers in powder or supplement form will provide a host of health benefits that support overall wellness.

So, next time you open an egg, do not discard the shell yet as it has a lot to offer in terms of your health, provided it is used accordingly.