Shrimp

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CONSTITUTIONAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS

Recipes with Shrimp: Shrimp, Plantain & Spinach Soup with Chickpea

Rich, dense and satisfying in nature, the celebratory shrimp is a fun favorite at parties. The little crustaceans are popcorn sized for easy consumption, making an elegant hors d'oeuvres for any festive occasion.

Some of the ways we commonly enjoy shrimp is alongside a spicy horseradish cocktail sauce, in a savory white wine butter sauce or with more tropical flavors like cilantro and lime. These tiny morsels spark feelings of satisfaction and, for many, nostalgia because they so often appear at special occasions. Is it any surprise that we have such a love for shrimp?

John Immel, founder of Joyful Belly, recalls, "As a boy I used to go to "Beefsteak Charlie's" on Wednesday nights at the mall, which was kids-eat-free night. They had an all you could eat salad bar with shrimp. I used to eat 3-4 platefulls of shrimp with my dad. It is a fond memory I'll never forget. The average American consumes over 4lbs of these tiny ocean-dwellers every year, making it America's most popular fish.

Sweet but Easy to Digest

Shrimp is sweet tasting. Rich oils make shrimp a grounding, satisfying food that nourishes the body (a quality called ojas-building in Ayurveda). Rich nourishment, combined with its lightness on digestion, are two qualities Ayurveda uses to rebuild their strength.

Overcooked, shrimp becomes more chewy and hard. Cooked to perfect, shrimp will be juicy and plump, with no sogginess or rawness in the center.

Despite the richness of shrimp, it is easily digested by the body so you'll likely still feel light and energetic after eating it. Maybe that's why some people can eat plate after plate of shrimp in one sitting!

Warm, Energizing

Shrimp is known to help circulation of blood, which naturally warms the body. The heat of shrimp is slow, like warming a hearth. Their warmth radiates from the core through the body. Shrimp's saltiness can also increase heat in the body. You may experience this blood moving quality as a pulsing sensation in the ears.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, prawns and shrimp are known for their ability to tonify qi and yang, as well as regulating blood circulation, eliminating cold and resolving phlegm. Shrimp's heat can be too warming for those of pitta dosha. Find your dosha here.

Brain Food

Shrimp is brain food. It nourishes the nervous system (majja vaha srotas) with its rich, oily, sweet qualities. It is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and the antioxidant astaxanthin, which nourish healthy brain function. The Omega 3 fatty acids and other nutrients in shrimp feed an overstimulated, depleted Vata or Pitta brain, while its relaxing qualities improve Vata's focus.

Energizing

Shrimp builds energy and warmth while nourishing instead of depleting you. This is in contrast to foods like coffee, which only activate energy but deplete your body in the end because they do not provide the underlying fuel.

The blood moving, nourishing, and light qualities of Shrimp are ideal for Vata warmth and groundedness. Consider jump-starting your day with an energizing shrimp breakfast!

Maybe energizing satisfaction is why shrimp and grits are a new Southern breakfast favorite? What do you think, would you trade your jolting cup of Joe for a plate of shrimp?

Recipes with Shrimp: Plantain Cake with Shrimp and Garlic (Gluten Free)

Salty & Moistening Properties of Ocean Seafood

According to Chinese medicine, foods from the ocean support healthy Kidney function. This means that the salty qualities help dry Vata types hold onto moisture. Vata's dry & cold qualities are naturally pacified by the salty, wet, and heavy qualities of ocean based seafood.

"Every year in the fall I buy a few canned oysters to reduce my Vata," testifies Joyful Belly founder John Immel, "The richness of all mollusks and crustaceans, culminating in Oysters, are ideal for Vata. They induce the kind of sleepiness and saltiness that is perfect for the scattered fall mind."

High Cholesterol but Low in Calories

Shrimp are low in calories but high in protein. They also contain good levels of iron, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B12. From a nutritional standpoint, they are relatively balancing for all three doshas. However, the relaxing and warming effects make it ideal for Vata dosha

Shrimp has been shunned by some because it is high in cholesterol. New research debunks the myth blackballing high cholesterol foods. Only 25% of the population is sensitive to dietary cholesterol. For the other 75%, a high cholesterol diet has little effect on blood cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is produced in the liver. High cholesterol foods can actually reduce the need for the liver to produce cholesterol.

One study found that shrimp boosts HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) by 12% and reduced triglycerides by 13% - both good for heart health. It is very high in selenium, good for heart health. Shrimp is also very high in iodine which is good for thyroid health, and therefore metabolic health as well.

Antioxidants, Red Shrimp & Pink Flamingos

Shrimp are pink due to the antioxidant "Astaxanthin" found in algae. This antioxidant has been linked to reduced inflammation, healthier skin, easing joint pain, overall heart health and endurance levels.
Did you know that flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp? The Astaxanthin in shrimp acts as a red dye, giving the feathers of the flamingo their festive color!

Elimination

The oiliness of shrimp softens stool and lubricates the colon for easy elimination.

Contraindications

While shrimp are a nutrient-dense, easy to digest food, there are some factors to take into account before loading your plate! Shrimp are bottom feeders so may be higher in toxins and heavy metals. They should be avoided by people with gout.

For Pittas, the heat of shrimp can be too much - causing irritation of the GI, and even bleeding. This Pitta aggravating nature explains, Ayurvedically, why shrimp is on the list of the top 8 most common allergens, along with fish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, milk and soy. Pittas should limit or avoid these little crustaceans.

Due to shrimp's heaviness, some Kapha's experience brain fog and dullness after eating them.

Recipes with Shrimp: Shrimp Coconut Curry with Cilantro & Peanut

Summary

Shrimp packs a mighty nutritional punch for such tiny morsels! Ayurvedically, shrimp are warm, nourishing and energizing. They build the blood and feed the brain.

Oysters, mussels, clams, and prawns are just some of the crustaceans and mollusks that are heavy hitting Vata pacifying foods. Shrimp is nourishing and warm, making it an ideal food for Vata. Additionally, its saltiness moistens Vata dryness. This makes them a particularly good choice in Fall, the Vata time of the year.

Shrimp's low calorie content should appeal to Kapha. However some of shrimp's relaxing qualities may be too dull for a Kapha mind. When preparing shrimp for a Kapha-dominant individual, we might look to pair them with fresh, sharp ingredients like citrus and cilantro.
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About Shrimp

Shrimp are small, decapod crustaceans found in both salt and fresh water, loved for their sweet, delicate meat and quick cooking time. Sold in many forms, with the shell-on or peeled, raw or pre-cooked, head-on, frozen or fresh, shrimp also vary widely in size and species (e.g., white, brown, pink, tiger).

Cooking Shrimp

Their flavor is clean and briny, and texture ranges from tender to pleasantly snappy when properly cooked. Because they cook in minutes and take well to bold seasonings, shrimp are a go-to protein for fast, flavorful meals.
Culinarily, shrimp may be sautéed, grilled, poached, stir-fried, tempura-fried, or simmered into stews and curries. Classic preparations include shrimp scampi, shrimp and grits, paella, gumbo, ceviche (citrus-cured), tempura, and shrimp tacos. They pair beautifully with garlic, citrus, chilies, herbs, and umami-rich sauces (soy, fish sauce, tomato). For best results, buy by count per pound (e.g., 16/20 = larger shrimp), thaw gently if frozen, pat dry, and cook just until opaque and pink to avoid toughness.

Greens such as spinach, arugula, & asparagus can help offset the fatty quality of shrimps. Garlic, red chili pepper, lemongrass & ginger are spices that can help make shrimp more digestible. For a tasty salad, try a Shrimp, Cucumber, & Cilantro salad sprinkled with lime. Or, put them on a skewer and BBQ them. Shrimp sauteed in garlic & ghee accentuates the oily of the shrimp.

Shrimp tastes best when cooked in the shell, because they pick up a lot of flavor from the shell. The "vein" in a shrimp is not truly a vein, but rather its digestive tract. Unless you want to eat shrimp poop, we recommend deveining the shrimp before consumption.

Buying & Preparation

Shrimp spoils quickly. Cook raw shrimp the same day you buy it.

Raw shrimp should be firm, not mushy. They should have a translucent shell without black spots or black edges. Their color should be grayish green, tannish pink or light pink. Avoid purchasing shrimp with an ammonia or strong fishy smell. The shrimp should have the mild smell of ocean only. Cooked shrimp should be firm in texture, red or pink tint.

Check the supplier. Do not purchase shrimp from a farm raised overseas with antibiotics.

Medicinal Effects of Shrimp

Constitutional nutrition systems use biocharacteristics to classify the metabolic nature of food, hebs, lifestyle choices, your body, and disease.

METABOLIC NATURE / BIOCHARACTERISTICS

Metabolic Nature / Biocharacteristics
Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (vital qualtiies). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
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GOOEY

ABOUT GOOEY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.

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HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

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OILY

ABOUT OILY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

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TASTES

The 6 Tastes
Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
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SALTY

ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.

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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

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AYURVEDA BODY TYPES (DOSHAS)

The Three Doshas / Body Types
Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
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PACIFIES

AGGRAVATES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors
Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
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PACIFIES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

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AGGRAVATES

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

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Other Health Virtues

Moves Energy:

Downward

DOWNWARD

Downward-moving (Adho Gati Marga) substances move food downward in the GI tract, settle the nervous system, and relax muscles.

SEE ALL 'DOWNWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Tissue (dhatu):

Fat

FAT

Fat tissue (Meda Dhatu) includes adipose tissue and sebum (skin oil).

SEE ALL 'FAT' FOODS / HERBS

Affinity:

Energy Vitality

ENERGY-VITALITY

Includes vitality improving foods, herbs, and exercises by dosha.

SEE ALL 'ENERGY-VITALITY' FOODS / HERBS

, Muscle Health

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Shrimp
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)

Digestion:

Warms Abdomen

WARMS-ABDOMEN

Warms the muscles and organs of the abdomen, stimulating digestion and metabolism.

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Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality:

Builds Stamina

BUILDS-STAMINA

Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-STAMINA' FOODS / HERBS

Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

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Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

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Heart & Circulation:

Warms Ears

WARMS-EARS

Stimulates peripheral circulation to warm extremities, including the ears.

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Antioxidant

ANTIOXIDANT

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.

SEE ALL 'ANTIOXIDANT' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney & Urinary:

Kidney Tonic

KIDNEY-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the kidneys.

SEE ALL 'KIDNEY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Weight Loss:

Raises Thyroid

RAISES-THYROID

An herb that increases thyroid function.

SEE ALL 'RAISES-THYROID' FOODS / HERBS

Strength, Muscle Health:

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

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Constituents:

Fats,

Iron

IRON

Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.

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Magnesium

MAGNESIUM

Helps muscles relax. Laxative.

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, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Phosphorous, Protein, Selenium,

Vitamin B12

VITAMIN-B12

An enzyme in every cell of the body, that aids metabolism, fat & protein metabolism, and DNA synthesis. B12 comes from animal course, and is commonly deficient in vegetarians.

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, Vitamin E, Zinc

Shrimp - Metabolic Impact Report

The reports shared below are part of an educational assignment completed by students at the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda & Greek Medicine. These represent subjective experiences intended to help students explore principles of Ayurveda through personal observation. In each report below, students ate the selected food for 3 days and self-reported these effects. See other food & herb reports at Joyful Belly.