Crabs, Shrimp, Mussels – Shellfish Raises Diabetes Risk

Watch out, that fancy shrimp cocktail might look and taste like a luxury, but eating shrimp may increase your risk of type-2 diabetes.

And its not just shrimp, other shellfish, like crabs and mussels, raise risk too.

But the problem is not the shellfish itself. Instead its how shrimp, mussels, and crab are often cooked and served.

In a British study, published in the journal Diabetes Care, experts say shellfish is most often prepared with butter and mayonnaise or fried with oil, which increases cholesterol, adding to diabetes risk.

But regular fish may help lower risk. When assessing the 21,984 study participants’ weekly consumption of shellfish and non-shellfish, like cod, mackerel, tuna, and sole, only 725 people developed type-2 diabetes.

So researchers recommend further research into the diabetes-shellfish link, but urge the public to consume non-shellfish regularly.

Just be careful, nowadays most species of fish are contaminated with mercury and other pollutants, so choose carefully.

Here’s a great guide for picking the safest fish: Environmental Defense Fund Seafood Selector.

Via Reuters.

Image credit: Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska