For years we’ve heard about the health benefits of eating eggs. Eggs are a cheap, versatile source of protein, and we’ve scrambled, poached, baked and whipped them into everything from soups to custards. But what about the eggshell?
Studies suggest that we may be missing out on a valuable source of calcium when we toss out eggshells. In addition to the nutritional benefits eggshells provide, we’ve found a variety of uses for them, both in the garden and around the home. So can you eat an eggshell? It’s a common question regarding eggs, up there with are eggs dairy?
Here are the surprising things you should know about eggshell nutrition.
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What Is an Eggshell Exactly?
We’ve all seen eggshells before, but how many of us really know what we’re cracking?
What we think of as the eggshell is actually three distinct layers. The first layer is the hard, chalky substance we pluck out of batter and omelets. That layer is composed almost entirely of calcium carbonate crystals. (1) These crystals form the curvature that gives the eggshell its shape. Although the eggshell is hard, it is actually a semi-permeable membrane, allowing air and moisture to pass through the almost 17,000 tiny pores which cover its surface. The shell also has a very fine, outermost coating called the bloom or cuticle. The bloom serves as a screen, preventing dust and bacteria from passing through the pores and damaging the rest of the egg.
The other two layers of the eggshell are called the inner and outer membranes. These smooth, transparent membranes are composed of proteins and are both flexible and strong. Working together, the inner and outer membranes defend the egg yolk against bacterial invasion. One of the proteins that make up these layers is keratin, the same protein found in rhinoceros horn and human hair.
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Can You Eat Eggshells? Eggshell Benefits
The short answer to this is, “yes.” When thoroughly cleaned and properly prepared, eggshells are edible. The bigger question might be, “Why would I WANT to eat eggshells?” To answer that, we have to look at the amount of calcium contained in an eggshell, which provide a large portion of eggshell benefits.

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