Is Prawns Heat or Cold For Your Body? A Complete Guide

Prawns are a popular shellfish that are enjoyed around the world. But when it comes to your health, many people wonder – are prawns a heating or cooling food for your body? Here is a complete guide to the effects of prawns on your body temperature and health.

The Heating Effects of Prawns

According to traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, prawns are considered to have a heating effect on the body. Here’s why

• High in protein and fat – The high protein and fat content in prawns requires more energy to digest, which raises body heat. Foods like meat, eggs, and nuts are also heating for this reason

• Spicy flavor – Prawns have a naturally sweet, salty, and slightly spicy flavor. Energizing spices like black pepper and chili are warming.

• Strengthens digestion – Warming foods like prawns strengthen digestion by stimulating the agni (digestive fire). Improved digestion produces internal heat.

So prawns are classified as a heating food in these holistic healing systems. Those who tend to run hot or have inflammatory conditions may want to limit prawns.

However, Western medicine doesn’t categorize prawns as heating or cooling. Instead, it focuses on their nutritional profile.

The Cooling Effects of Prawns

Despite their warming thermal nature, prawns have some cooling properties as well:

• High in copper – Prawns are very high in the mineral copper, which has a cooling energetics. Copper calms pitta dosha (fire element).

• Low in fat – Although high in protein, prawns are relatively low in fat compared to red meat. Their light nature makes them less heating.

• High in zinc – Zinc has cooling properties and prawns are high in this mineral. Zinc is even used to treat heat conditions like acne.

So although prawns are considered thermogenic, they also have some cooling aspects. Those prone to chill may benefit from prawns’ warming effects during cold months.

The Nutritional Benefits of Prawns

Beyond heating and cooling effects, prawns provide many nutrients that benefit health:

• High in protein – Prawns contain over 20g of protein per 3 oz serving. Protein provides steady energy, helps retain muscle mass, and keeps you full.

• Low in fat – With less than 1g of fat per serving, prawns are a lean source of protein compared to fatty red meats.

• Rich in vitamins – Prawns contain several B vitamins like B12, B6, and folate that support energy, brain function, and cell growth.

• Packed with minerals – Prawns are high in minerals like zinc, copper, selenium, and iodine that benefit the immune system, thyroid, digestion, and more.

• Contains antioxidants – Prawns get their pink color from astaxanthin, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.

Due to this stellar nutrition profile, prawns make a healthy addition to a balanced diet. Let’s look closer at some of the top nutrients in prawns.

Top Nutrients in Prawns

Here are some of the top vitamins and minerals found in prawns:

• Protein – Necessary for building and repairing muscle, skin, bones and body tissues. Also boosts immunity.

• Vitamin B12 – Essential for nervous system function, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation.

• Zinc – Supports immune health, growth, digestion, and reproductive function. Also aids wound healing.

• Selenium – Has antioxidant effects that protect cells from damage and promotes thyroid health.

• Iodine – Crucial for thyroid hormone production, which regulates metabolism, growth, and development.

Prawns also contain copper, phosphorus, niacin, vitamin E, iron, and vitamin B6. Consuming prawns provides all these nutrients in one protein-packed package.

How Prawns Affect Body Temperature

Maintaining normal body temperature is crucial for health. Body temperature is primarily regulated by the hypothalamus in the brain. It aims to keep your core temperature around 98.6°F (37°C).

When you eat warming foods like prawns, thermogenesis occurs. Thermogenesis is the process of producing heat by burning calories during digestion. The hypothalamus senses this rise in body heat from the prawns and initiates cooling mechanisms like sweating and vasodilation.

Cooling foods like fruits and vegetables have the opposite effect. They require minimal energy to digest, resulting in less generation of body heat.

However, the impact of food on body temperature is small and temporary. More significant influences are exercise, environmental temperature, hormones, and illnesses like infection or inflammation.

Those who tend to run cold can benefit from warming foods like prawns during colder months. But you may wish to avoid them in summer or if you frequently feel hot. Moderation is key.

Tips for Enjoying Prawns

Here are some tips for cooking delicious prawns while balancing their heating effects:

• Enjoy prawns during colder seasons when your body needs warming foods. Have them less often during hot summer months.

• Prepare prawns with cooling ingredients like cucumber, mint, yogurt, and lime. These complement prawns and offset their warming impact.

• Limit your intake of prawns if you tend to run hot, suffer from inflammatory conditions, or are Prone to acne flares. Have them sparingly.

• Sauté prawns in coconut oil instead of other heating oils. Coconut oil does not generate heat during cooking or digestion.

• Grill, steam, or boil prawns instead of deep frying. Less oil means less internal heat is generated.

• Balance prawns with salads and cooked vegetables. The fiber and water content helps regulate body temperature.

The Verdict on Prawns’ Effects on Body Temperature

When consumed in moderation along with a balanced diet, prawns provide protein, vitamins, and minerals. Those who run cold can benefit from prawns’ warming energy, while overheating individuals may wish to limit intake.

Focus on listening to your body’s needs and enjoy this nutritious seafood as part of a varied diet. Prawns offer great health benefits when consumed sensibly according to one’s unique constitution.