Nutritional content of crab

Crab can be used in everything from salads, sushi and tacos, to soups, on the barbecue or simply on a good slice of bread with a delicious dressing. This makes crab - and particularly the brown crab, which is the most common crab in Norway - popular both for everyday meals and for special occasions.

The fact that crab also has highly nutritious meat means that it is one of the healthiest ingredients that can play the leading role in your cooking, and one you would do well to eat more of.

Crab contains a number of important nutrients, and is particularly rich in protein, vitamin B12, selenium, iodine, calcium and omega 3, which together are important for many of the body's most important functions:

• Protein is important for the maintenance of the body's cells. 100 grams of cooked crab contains 23 grams of protein.

• Vitamin B12 is particularly important for the production of new cells in, for example, hair, skin and nails.

• Selenium is important for cognitive function, the immune system and fertility in both men and women.

• Iodine has a particularly positive effect on the thyroid gland, which in turn affects our metabolism.

• Calcium is a particularly important building block for the skeleton, the teeth and bone tissue.

• Omega 3 contains healthy fat that is good for the heart, the brain and eyesight, among other things.

Here you can read more about the most important nutrients in crab:

Protein

Proteins are the body's building blocks, and contribute among other things to the maintenance of the cells in the muscles, the hair and the skin. Proteins are often divided into animal proteins and plant proteins, and both categories are important for your body to function optimally.

As a rule of thumb you need one gram of protein per kilo of body weight every day. Since crab is rich in protein, it is an excellent source for keeping your body healthy.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin that the body does not produce itself. B12 contributes to the production of cells in the body, improves the function of nerve cells, and also contributes to the normal production of red blood cells.

The vitamin is also good for the foetus during pregnancy, and prevents osteoporosis and eye disease. B12 has a positive effect on the brain in general and on the mood in particular, gives energy, is good for the heart and gives you stronger hair, skin and nails.

Selenium

Selenium is a mineral that plays an important role in many of the body's functions. The best sources of selenium are found in a natural diet, where crab is one of the very best sources.

Selenium can, among other things, help prevent cardiovascular disease and problems with the thyroid gland, and help maintain cognitive function.

Iodine

Iodine is an important nutrient that is especially recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Iodine also plays an important role in our metabolism, and ensures that the thyroid gland can produce important hormones.

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral we need to supply to the body on a daily basis, throughout life. Calcium is in fact the mineral we have most of in the body, and makes up as much as 50% of all the minerals in the body.

Calcium is particularly important for a strong skeleton and strong teeth. A prolonged lack of calcium intake can in many cases cause osteoporosis. In addition, calcium is good for your blood's ability to coagulate, for nerve function and for your muscles.

Omega 3

Omega-3 are unsaturated fatty acids that are absolutely essential to obtain through the diet. Although crab contains little fat, the fat that it does contain is of the healthy kind, which is good for preventing cardiovascular disease and for maintaining normal eyesight.