Short Answer: If you accidentally eat shrimp tails, nothing serious will happen. You can digest them, and they may even lower your cholesterol and boost your immune system.
Shrimp tails are the hard outer shells that cover the tail and protect the meat.
They are made of chitin, a tough and brittle material common to insects and many shellfish.
If you accidentally eat shrimp tails, nothing serious will happen.
You can digest shrimp tails, as human gastric juice contains the enzyme chitinase, which can degrade chitin.
This is because shrimp tails contain chitin, a polymer of N-acetylglucosamine.
Chitin is the most abundant organic fiber in the world after wood.
Chitin can have some positive effects on your health.
It can lower cholesterol and triglycerides, improve the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio, and support the immune system.
It is quite uncommon to eat shrimp tails in Western cuisines, as many people find them unappetizing, tough, or potentially unsafe.
However, shrimp tails are often used in Thai and Northeastern Chinese cuisines, as they add a crunchy texture and flavor to dishes.
You can eat shrimp tails if you want to, but there is no need to worry if you accidentally swallow them.
They are not harmful and can even offer some nutritional benefits.
However, some people may be allergic to the chitin in the shells, so be careful if you have a shellfish allergy.
To avoid accidental eating of shrimp tails, you can peel them off before cooking or eating the shrimp.
You can also use a fork and knife to cut off the tail part, or use your fingers to pull it off.
Alternatively, you can deep-fry the shrimp tails and enjoy them as a crunchy snack.
Finally, remember, shrimp tails are edible, but not everyone likes them.
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