Boiling eggshells in a pot can be a simple and amazingly beneficial practice that will save you a lot of money.
Eggshells are often ragarded as waste after using their contents for cooking or baking, but what many don’t know is that these shells consists of valuable nutrients and can be reused in ingenious ways.
In this introduction, we’ll discover how boiling eggshells can offer multiple benefits, both for your wallet and for your garden or other practical applications around the home.
It offers various health benefits and other practical uses:
- Source of calcium: Eggshells consist of high levels of calcium, making them an excellent natural source of this essential mineral for boosting bones and teeth.
- Provides minerals: In addition to calcium, eggshells consist of other important minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and iron, which are beneficial for overall health.
- Nutritional supplement: After boiling and grinding them into powder, eggshells can be used as a natural nutritional supplement, providing essential minerals to our diet.
- Digestive Support: Eggshell powder can work as a gentle detoxifying agent and help stablize the stomach’s pH, which can aid digestion and ease heartburn.
- Plant fertilizer: By adding the eggshell cooking water to our plants, we offer them with an additional source of calcium and other nutrients, which can enhance their growth and overall health.
- Garden Pest Control: By sprinkling eggshell powder around plants, we can produce a physical barrier that deters certain insects and prevents damage to our crops.
- Natural Cleaning: Eggshell powder has abrasive and absorbent qualities that make it useful for cleaning delicate objects or surfaces without resorting to chemicals.
- Deodorizing: Crushed eggshells can also help remove unpleasant odors in your home or refrigerator.
- Waste reduction: Reusing eggshells helps reduce waste and boosts more sustainable practices.
- Educational Activity: Boiling eggshells can be an educational activity to teach children about recycling and environmental protection.
How to prepare eggshells for consumption: a simple and scientific guide
Eggshells, often discarded, are a high source of calcium, a crucial mineral for bone and muscle health. Blending them into your diet safely and effectively demands a simple but important preparation process. Below, we explain how to do it, backed by scientific information.
Step 1: Cleaning the shells
After using eggs, it’s crucial to thoroughly wash the shells under running water. This removes any remaining white or yolk. It’s also crucial to get rid of the inner membrane that covers the shell. This membrane can contain bacteria, such as Salmonella , which could cause food poisoning if mishandled.
Step 2: Boil the shells
Once cleaned, boil the shells in water for 10 minutes. This step is an important to remove bacteria and potential pathogens. Boiling them at this temperature ensures that the shells are completely sterilized, making them safe for human consumption.
Step 3: Dry the shells
After boiling, dry the husks. You can leave them in the air for several hours, or if you prefer something faster, dry them in the oven at a low temperature (approximately 90-100°C). It’s crucial that they are completely dry before grinding, as any moisture can affect the consistency of the powder and reduce its shelf life.
Step 4: Grind the shells
Once the shells are dry, grind them into a fine powder. You can apply a coffee grinder or a food processor. This powder consists of approximately 95% calcium carbonate , making it an excellent natural supplement for strengthening bones and teeth.
Scientific benefits of eating eggshells
The main component of eggshells is calcium carbonate , which is absorbed by the body and helps keep strong bones. A calcium deficiency can lead to bone problems such as osteoporosis , a condition where bones weaken and become more prone to fractures.
In addition to calcium, eggshells consist of traces of other minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus, which are crucial for overall bone and joint health. Some research also recommended that these minerals may aid in cartilage regeneration, which is beneficial for people with conditions like arthritis or osteoarthritis .
How to consume eggshell powder
The powder is easy to blend nto your daily diet. A small amount (about a teaspoon a day ) can be added to smoothies, juices, yogurts, or soups. One teaspoon of eggshell powder consists of about 800–1,000 mg of calcium, which is nearly the suggested daily amount for an average adult.
Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount, as too much calcium ca cause problems such as kidney stones. Too much calcium can also impact on the absorption of other essential minerals, such as iron and zinc.
