Do Not Throw Away Eggshells Again!

As you already know, eggs are a very common staple food in Nigeria and the world at large. The fact that it is a primary condiment in the making of most of our confections (confectioneries) and snack foods is further proof of it’s high consumption.

It is no doubt a very necessary appetizer prior to main course meals, it is tasty whichever way you choose to serve it; whether as fried eggs (my best), boiled eggs, baked or as omelets and many more. It is a high protein and fatty food, hence most hypertensive as advised to consume minimally due to the danger of building up fat sedimentation in blood vessels.

Well, I wanted to leave out all the juiciness and tastiness of the wholesome part of the egg and talk about “he who is usually neglected” – the eggshell. The eggshell has got to get some credit! It’s about time we get more acquainted with its awesome role and benefits asides that it keeps the wholesome part protected.

Eggshells present healthy, balanced calcium due to trace amounts of other minerals contained in it. Eggshell calcium is probably the best natural source of calcium, and it is easier for your body to digest and absorb.

Research reports…

Dutch researchers have reported recently a highly positive effect of eggshell calcium (with added magnesium and vitamin D) on bone mineral density in a scientific study (double blind, placebo-controlled). Laboratory test and measures of bone density were carefully made in these studies. The eggshell supplemented group had measurable increases in bone density in their hip bones, after one year.

The ideal bone-building combination of eggshell calcium and vitamin D3 was also well documented in Japanese studies. Researchers at the Japan Women’s University, Tokyo studied a combination of vitamin D3 and eggshell powder in animals with osteoporosis. Not only was the eggshell powder with vitamin D3 able to improve bone mineral density, but it did it without significantly increasing blood calcium levels.

Nutrient facts of eggshell

Egg’s shell is natural source of minerals and contains 90% calcium. Calcium is easily absorbed by our body because its chemical composition is almost identical to human’s teeth and bones. Eggshell also contains iron, zinc, copper, manganese, fluorine, phosphorus, chromium and molybdenum. Therefore, many experts recommend shell eggs as a natural and very effective calcium supplement.

If consumed in larger amounts, calcium will not only get rid of lack of calcium-symptoms, but it will also prevent osteoporosis’ development, stimulate the bone narrow in producing blood cells and help when it comes to treating high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

Here are several ideas on how to use egg shell and what to use them for:
  1. Strengthening the organism and cleansing the blood
    Wash 5 egg shells, crush them good and put them in 3 liters of water. Keep this mixture in the refrigerator for 7 days before using it as a drinking water. Drink two to three glasses of this mixture a day.
  2. Thyroid gland health
    Take 8 egg shells, wash them good and crush them even better. Pour juice of 2 lemons over the crushed egg shells and leave in refrigerator for several days. When shell softens, strain the liquid and mix it with 1 liter of rakia (It is a clear alcoholic beverage made by the distillation of fermented fruit – or you can just add fermented pineapple juice or some little amount of gin/brandy) and 1 kg of honey. Let this mixture stand still for 7 days before using it. Consume one teaspoon two to four times per day after meals.
  3. Gastritis, ulcer
    Crush some egg shells. Mix the crushed egg shells with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. When shells softens, add one deciliter of hot milk. Consume this mixture 2 times a day – on an empty stomach in the morning and before bedtime in the evening.

You can use any kind of egg (chicken, goose, duck or guinea fowl), but it is best to use organic or certified organic eggs from free-range birds (you wouldn’t want to consume ostrich’s egg, would you?). Also, it is important to note that If the bird does not get proper nutrients the eggshells won’t contain the nutrients we need.

How much to take?

One whole medium sized eggshell makes about one teaspoon of powder, which yields about 750 – 800 mgs of elemental* calcium plus other micro-elements, i.e. magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, sulphur, silicon, zinc, etc. There are 27 elements in total. The composition of an eggshell is very similar to that of our bones and teeth.
*Elemental amounts are the amounts absorbable by the human body.

How to make powdered eggshells:
  • Wash empty eggshells in warm water until all of the egg white is removed, but do not remove the membrane because it contains important nutrients for the joints which helps arthritis.
  • Lay broken pieces out on paper towels and allow them to air dry thoroughly.
  • Break the eggshells up into small pieces, and grind them to into a fine powder in a food processor, blender, coffee grinder, or a nut mill, or put them in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to grind them. Please note that some blenders will not grind the eggshell into a fine enough powder. A coffee grinder works the best.
  • Store powdered eggshells in a covered glass jar or container. Keep it in a dry place, like the kitchen cupboard.

It will appear like this.eggshell

Watch the video for more clarity on “How to make egg shell calcium”

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