Eggshell Powder (Anday Ka Chilka) for Calcium: Is It Safe to Eat? (Video)

Transcript

One egg shell can cover two days of calcium?

One egg shell can cover two days of calcium?

Eggshell Powder Overview

Ever wonder if grinding up eggshells could boost your calcium?

What is eggshell powder

Eggshell powder is basically very fine chalk. After you boil the shells to kill any germs and grind them into a flour-like texture, you end up with a source of calcium. One shell holds roughly two days of an adult’s calcium needs, so it’s easy to overdo if you’re not careful.

Two real risks

The first risk is germs. Salmonella lives on the outside, sometimes inside, of raw shells, so a dried shell can still carry the bacteria. The second risk is the tiny, glass-sharp bits that can form if you don’t grind the shells fine enough. Both can cause illness or injury if not handled right.

At a glance

A quick snapshot: eggshell powder is about ninety-five percent calcium carbonate, the same stuff you find in chalk and many antacids. One shell weighs five to six grams and holds roughly two grams of calcium. To keep it safe you must wash, boil for ten minutes, dry completely, then grind to a flour-fine powder. Store it in a dry, airtight jar for a few months.

Is it worth it?

The honest verdict? It’s safe in tiny amounts if you prepare it properly, but it’s not a superfood. The body absorbs the calcium best with a meal, and measuring a pinch is a guess at best. For most people, regular foods like milk are a simpler way to meet daily calcium needs.

Quick quote

A glass of milk tells you what’s in it. A spoon of home eggshell powder never does.

Safe making steps

If you still want to try, start by collecting ten to twelve shells and keep them in a covered box in the fridge for up to a week. Rinse each shell under running water, rub off any egg white, and wash your hands afterward. Boil the shells for ten minutes, then drain and spread them on a tray. Dry them in an oven at 120 to 150 degrees Celsius for fifteen to twenty minutes, or under strong sun. Finally, grind them in a clean, dry spice grinder in short bursts, letting the jar cool between bursts, until you have a fine, powdery texture.

Calcium amount

Most adults need about a thousand milligrams of calcium a day. A small pinch of eggshell powder gives roughly a hundred milligrams, about a third of a glass of milk. A careless heaped spoon could deliver most of a day’s requirement, and a whole shell’s worth is close to two days of calcium in one go. Remember, the total calcium from all sources should stay under two and hundred and fifty milligrams per day for most people.

Who should avoid

If you have a history of kidney stones, any stage of kidney disease, high blood calcium, or you’re on thyroid medication, talk to a doctor before adding any extra calcium. Too much calcium can cause constipation, bloating, and over time, high blood calcium, which shows up as thirst, frequent urination, nausea, tiredness, or confusion.

Beauty myths

Rubbing shell powder on teeth is just an abrasive scrub, it won’t rebuild enamel. A raw eggshell membrane mask carries germs, so it’s not a safe skin treatment either. And eggshell water doesn’t soak calcium into hair; the shells barely dissolve in plain water. A regular fluoride toothpaste, a balanced diet, and proper hair care will do far more.

Important safety

Never eat raw or unboiled shells, and never give eggshell powder to babies or children. If you have kidney stones, kidney disease, high blood calcium, or take thyroid medicine, antibiotics, iron, or water pills, talk to your doctor before adding calcium from any source. Stop and get checked if you notice constant thirst, frequent urination, nausea, constipation, or confusion. Food poisoning with a high fever, blood in stool, or signs of dehydration needs a doctor right away.

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Read the full guide

For the full guide, with every detail and answers to common questions, visit thecareonline.com. You'll find more short videos like this one on our YouTube channel. This is general information, not medical advice, so check with your doctor about your own situation.