Boiling eggshells in a pot will save you a lot of money
Boiling eggshells in a pot can be a simple and surprisingly beneficial practice that will save you a lot of money.
Eggshells are often considered waste after using the contents for cooking or baking, but what many don’t know is that these shells contain valuable nutrients and can be reused in ingenious ways.
In this introduction, we’ll explore how boiling eggshells can provide you with multiple benefits, both for your pocket and for your garden or other practical applications at home.
Find out how to make the most of this natural and economical resource to improve your daily life.
It provides various health benefits and other practical uses:
- Source of calcium: Eggshells contain high levels of calcium, making them an excellent natural source of this essential mineral for strengthening bones and teeth.
- Provides minerals: In addition to calcium, eggshells contain other important minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and iron, which are beneficial for overall health.
- Nutritional Supplement: After boiling and crushing them into powder, eggshells can be consumed as a natural nutritional supplement, providing essential minerals to our diet.
- Digestive support: Eggshell powder can act as a mild detoxifying agent and aid in the pH balance of the stomach, which can support digestion and relieve heartburn.
- Plant fertilizer: By adding the cooking water from eggshells to our plants, we provide them with an additional source of calcium and other nutrients, which can improve their growth and overall health.
- Pest control in the garden: By spreading eggshell powder around plants, we can create a physical barrier that deters certain insects and prevents damage to our crops.
- Natural cleansing: 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 eliminate unpleasant odors in the home or refrigerator.
- Waste reduction: Reusing eggshells contributes to reducing the amount of waste, promoting more sustainable practices.
- Educational activity: Boiling eggshells can be a teaching activity to teach children about recycling and caring for the environment.
How to prepare eggshells for consumption: a simple and scientific guide
Eggshells, often discarded, are a rich source of calcium, an essential mineral for bone and muscle health. Incorporating them into the diet safely and effectively requires a simple but important process of preparation. Here’s how to do it, backed by scientific information.
Step 1: Cleaning the Shells
After using the eggs, it is crucial to wash the shells thoroughly under running water. This removes any white or yolk residue that may have remained. It is also important to remove the inner membrane that covers the shell. This membrane can contain bacteria, such as Salmonella, which could cause food poisoning if not handled properly.
Step 2: Boil the Peels
Once cleaned, boil the peels in water for 10 minutes. This step is essential to eliminate bacteria and possible pathogens. Boiling them at this temperature ensures that the peels are completely sterilized, making them safe for human consumption.
Step 3: Dry the Peels
After boiling, dry the peels. 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 is important 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, crush them into a fine powder. You can use a coffee grinder or a food processor. This powder contains approximately 95% calcium carbonate, making it an excellent natural supplement for strengthening bones and teeth.
Scientific Benefits of Consuming Eggshells
The main component of eggshells is calcium carbonate, which is absorbed into the body and helps keep bones strong. A calcium deficiency can lead to bone problems such as osteoporosis, a condition where bones weaken and become more prone to fractures. Scientific studies have shown that calcium obtained from eggshells is as effective as other forms of commercially available calcium supplements.
In addition to calcium, eggshells contain trace amounts of other minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus, which are essential for overall bone and joint health. Some research also suggests that these minerals may aid in cartilage regeneration, which is helpful for people with diseases such as arthritis or osteoarthritis.
How to Consume Eggshell Powder
The powder is easy to incorporate into the daily diet. A small amount (about a teaspoon a day) can be added to smoothies, juices, yogurts, or soups. One teaspoon of eggshell powder contains about 800-1,000 mg of calcium, which is almost the recommended daily amount for an average adult.
Precaution: The recommended amount should not be exceeded, as too much calcium can lead to problems such as kidney stone formation. Too much calcium can also interfere with the absorption of other essential minerals, such as iron and zinc.
Additional Uses and Therapeutic Applications
In addition to direct consumption, some people use eggshell powder mixed with vinegar to make compresses that, according to testimonials, can relieve joint pain. This is due to the combination of calcium and other minerals that, when absorbed through the skin, could have an anti-inflammatory effect. Although there are few scientific studies to support this specific use, many people report relief in areas of localized pain.
Eggshells, an often underutilized resource, are a rich and natural source of calcium. Preparing them properly ensures that you can safely reap all of their benefits, helping to strengthen your bones and improve joint health. Incorporating this homemade supplement into your diet is an economical and effective option to increase calcium intake without resorting to commercial products.
In short, boiling eggshells in a pot gives us a range of health benefits, for environmental care, and for practical uses in the home and garden.
It is a simple and effective way to take advantage of this natural resource and improve our quality of life!
Important: Before incorporating the consumption of eggshells or any supplements into your diet, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor or a healthcare professional, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or are taking medication. Only a professional can guide you appropriately according to your specific needs.