Do eggshells contain calcium? Studies show that powdered egg shells offer a highly absorbable source of calcium

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Calcium is one of the most abundant and essential elements in the human body. By adding calcium to your diet, you can build healthy bones and help prevent disease. Since bones are living tissue, they are constantly being supplemented by calcium deposits and require adequate levels of this important element. Healthy adults need to consume about 1,000mg of calcium per day. That number increases to around 1,200mg for post-menopausal women and 1,300mg in adolescents.(1)

Though many people rely on daily vitamins for adequate supply of minerals, studies show that calcium is more easily absorbed by the body if taken through food. Dietitians encourage foods high in calcium, which includes various dairy products and green vegetables.(2) However, egg shells are also excellent sources of calcium. A single chicken egg shell contains around 2,000mg of calcium.(3)

Consuming eggs shells is becoming an increasingly popular way to obtain calcium from food

Since many people have trouble digesting dairy products, egg shells are becoming a popular source for calcium. This method is also cost-effective, costing less than other supplements. Dietary studies have proven the benefit of consuming egg shells in a powdered form, which some refer to as “calcium powder.”(3)

Clinical studies indicate egg shell powder has positive effects on bone and cartilage and can even deter bone loss.(6) Not only do powdered egg shells help in maintaining proper calcium levels, but they’re also a great source of strontium and fluorine.(3) Additional studies have shown increased mobility and decreased pain in osteoporosis patients.

How to extract calcium from egg shells

The best way to make sure egg shells are safe to eat is through killing off any lingering bacteria. Bring egg shells to a rolling boil for around 5 minutes. Dry them by placing them on a cookie sheet in the oven on low temperature, or in a food dehydrator. This also gives a more crunchy texture. A coffee grinder is the most effective way to grind the shells into a thin white powder. The powder can then be added to any food, with left over powder stored in the refrigerator.(4) Nutritionists recommend consuming no more than one teaspoon of powdered egg shell daily.(5)

Video: Calcium from eggshells


Antonia is a science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition. She has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. Read more by Antonia here, and SUBSCRIBE!


Sources for this article include:
(1) health.gov
(2) www.eatright.org
(3) www.nytimes.com
(4) www.livestrong.com
(5) www.mamanatural.com
(6) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antonia
A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. (http://www.rawfoodhealthwatch.com/)