Is there anything better than chowing down on a delectable lobster dish during summer vacation to coastal New England? Face it — few foods come close to juicy, tender lobster meat with a side of sweet corn and crunchy slaw.
You might wonder whether something so tasty can actually be good for you. Is lobster healthy for weight loss, or is it wishful thinking? The answer might surprise you.
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4 Lobster Benefits for Optimal Health
Seafood enthusiasts, rejoice. Everyone’s favorite shellfish is loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients to improve your health. Here are four lobster benefits you might reap the rewards of from eating more.
1. Aids Weight Loss
Studies have shown that eating fatty fish like salmon can aid in weight loss. Salmon contains anti-inflammatory markers that make it an ideal dietary intervention in people with obesity.
Lobster may not have the same weight loss benefits as salmon, but it’s an excellent low-calorie, low-fat protein source. For instance, 1 cup of lobster meat is only 128 calories and contains a whopping 27 grams of protein.
Clinical trials reveal that eating more than the recommended 48–56 grams of protein per day can induce weight loss and enhance body composition in adults.
2. Better Cognitive Health
Prevent cognitive decline and promote healthier brain function by increasing your lobster consumption.
Recent studies show that high levels of omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in lobster reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 49% — the seventh leading cause of death in older adults in the United States.
Research also indicates that omega-3s are effective in treating depression and preventing the onset of depressive symptoms. Eating more lobster gives you a greater chance of improving your mental health and cognition.
3. Balanced Thyroid
People with thyroid imbalance may have selenium and iodine deficiencies. As such, you might notice you’re often too cold or too hot, lack energy or have a sluggish metabolism.
With hypothyroidism — underactive thyroid function — you might notice your hair falling out more often. Generally, we naturally lose about 50 to 100 strands daily, but pulling out clumps of hair might be a sign you need to call a doctor.
Eating more lobster can help you meet the recommended daily intake of iodine and selenium. Men and women over 19 years old should strive to consume 150 micrograms (mcg) of iodine per day. Meanwhile, federal guidelines recommend a minimum of 55 mcg of selenium for individuals 19 and over daily.
4. Improved Immunity
Perhaps the most important reason to eat more lobster is its serving of zinc. Zinc is known for having excellent beneficial effects on our immune system, even boosting our immunity to help prevent COVID-19.
Older adults with zinc deficiencies have a higher risk of mortality from COVID-19 — especially when coupled with cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions and obesity. A recent survey found that people between 67–87 years old were 10.1% more likely to have zinc deficiency than younger people. The number was even more prevalent in men than in women.
Boost zinc in your diet with a lobster dinner. A small lobster contains 4.74 milligrams (mg) of zinc — almost half the recommended daily 8 mg intake for women and 11 mg for men. Even better, eat your lobster with a side of peas for even more zinc.
Preparation Matters for the Most Lobster Benefits
You might wonder if eating more lobster has other health benefits. For example, is lobster good for your liver? Well, that depends on how you prepare it.
Most people’s favorite way to eat lobster is by dunking the meat in melted butter. However, unhealthy saturated fats can increase liver fat accumulation and lead to fatty liver disease. Additionally, consuming more saturated fats can impact triglyceride levels and promote insulin resistance, leading to Type 2 diabetes.
Frying your lobster in oil is another way to lose its nutritional value. You also need to eat enough of it to reap the rewards. The federal dietary guidelines suggest eating 8 ounces of seafood weekly, yet only 10%-20% of American adults meet those recommendations.
Improve Your Health by Eating More Lobster
You won’t want to miss out on all the lobster benefits for better health — as long as you prepare it healthily. Aid your weight loss and improve your body’s overall functioning by eating more of this decadent seafood.
