The benefits of eating hairy crabs and the taboos of eating hairy crabs

Introduction to hairy crabs

The Chinese mitten crab is an economic crab, also known as river crab, hairy crab, clear water crab, and hairy crab. It is a long-standing delicacy in China. Its claws are used for feeding and fighting enemies, and the inner and outer edges of the palms are densely covered with velvet, hence the name of the mitten crab. It is an omnivorous animal, and fish, shrimp, snails, clams, worms, earthworms, insects and their larvae can all be used as animal bait for hairy crabs.

Crabs contain more vitamin A, which helps the keratinization of the skin; they can also supplement calcium for rickets in children and osteoporosis in the elderly. They are widely distributed in lakes along the north and south coasts of China, with the Yangtze River system producing the most crabs and tasting extremely delicious. Among them, the most famous is the Gucheng Lake hairy crab, which has always been known as the best crab and is recognized as a well-known Chinese trademark by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. Other well-known ones include the Taihu Lake hairy crab, the Yangcheng Lake hairy crab, and the Changdang Lake hairy crab.

The benefits of eating hairy crabs

1. Anti-infection and promote wound healing

Crabs contain a lot of protein, most of which is high-quality protein. These high-quality proteins also contain amino acids, which can increase lymphocyte immunity, promote wound healing, and resist infection. People who have undergone surgery or are injured can eat more crabs in moderation.

2. Detoxification effect

Arginine can participate in the body's energy metabolism and detoxification. Eating crabs in moderation can promote the body's energy balance and play a good role in excreting toxins in the body. Therefore, patients with constipation can eat more crab meat.

Never eat crabs in excess. Since crabs are cold foods, eating too much can affect gastrointestinal health and induce symptoms such as diarrhea.

3. Prevent tumors

Crab meat contains a lot of nutrients, among which vitamin A and vitamin E are the highest. These two vitamins can protect mucosal epithelial tissue, soften blood vessels and resist aging.

Crabs also contain a lot of selenium, with the content of selenium in every 100 grams of crabs reaching 56.7 micrograms. Foods high in selenium can improve the body's immunity and also prevent tumors and fight cancer.

Taboos of eating hairy crabs

1. Avoid eating dead crabs.

After a river crab dies, the bacteria in the crab's body will multiply rapidly and spread into the crab meat, causing vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in the eater.

2. Avoid eating raw crabs.

The infection rate of lung fluke larvae metacercariae in live crabs is very high, reaching 71%. Lung fluke parasitizes in human lungs, irritating or destroying lung tissue, causing fever, coughing, and hemoptysis; if it invades the brain, it can cause paralysis.

3. Avoid eating overnight crabs.

Crabs are foods that contain a lot of histidine. The histidine in leftover crabs overnight will decompose into histamine under the action of certain microorganisms. Although reheating can kill pathogenic microorganisms, it cannot destroy toxins, thus leading to histamine poisoning. Therefore, it is best to steam crabs and eat them immediately, generally not more than 4 hours.