Shrimp white bug

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to eat shrimps. The shrimps at this time are the fattest and have a very rich taste. They are rich in fat and vitamins. However, when people eat shrimps, they always pull out white nematodes inside. These are parasites that are present in most shrimps. As long as you clean them regularly and learn how to select them correctly, this situation will not occur.

Are the white lines pulled out from the shrimp heads parasites?

Whether it is the crayfish that is popular in the streets, or the sweet and tender shrimps and nine-segment shrimps, even the dried shrimps used as condiments in soups, whether they are steamed, blanched, braised or fried, they are all considered delicious dishes and are deeply loved by gourmets.

However, a short video circulating in the circle of friends recently really terrified many foodies: in the video, a person cut open the shrimp head and used a needle to pick out two thin white lines. The video maker said that this is a parasite in the shrimp, and warned netizens to eat less shrimp to avoid being attacked by parasites.

What exactly are the parasites mentioned in this video? Is it the truth or is it just nonsense from the rumor-mongering netizen "Xia"? The health editor will take you to find out.

Why is it always shrimps that have problems?

I believe this is not the first time you have heard rumors about the shrimp family, right?

Crayfish is the most controversial member of this family: the crayfish parasite incident that has been rumored for many years has long been proven to be a rumor, and it can be eaten safely after high-temperature sterilization; eating crayfish causing rhabdomyolysis was later proved to be a side effect caused by the "shrimp washing powder" used by unscrupulous vendors, and has nothing to do with the crayfish itself.

There is also a rumor that has been circulating for many years: taking shrimp and vitamin C together is equivalent to eating arsenic. In fact, arsenic is arsenic, and shrimp itself contains arsenic. Arsenic is a substance found in all seafood. Arsenic also exists in the human body, but the content is very small, so there is no need to worry too much.

As a branch of the shrimp family, mantis shrimp has also been targeted: just recently, a short video posted on WeChat Moments claimed that the mantis shrimp he bought were injected with glue. Later it was proved that the so-called "glue" was actually the roe of the mantis shrimp.

So is this white parasite another deliberate frame-up, or is it really true?

Are white lines parasites? Expert: Think too much!

A fishery expert revealed the answer in one sentence: In fact, these two white lines are not parasites, but the testes of male shrimps.

Usually, immature testes are colorless and transparent, and become milky white when mature. It can be said to be equivalent to crab roe, which is rich in cholesterol and protein.

This white line is not only found in shrimps, but also in mantis shrimps and lobsters, and it is much thicker, so it is impossible to be a parasite.

In addition, the possibility of parasites in shrimp is not high because:

① Parasites generally have an infection rate, which means that not all parasites are infected, and it is difficult to pick up a parasite that will definitely have a worm;

② The circulated picture shows that the "bug" seems to be very soft, and it actually broke when it was picked out with a toothpick, which is not in line with common sense;

③In a breeding environment, if there are so many parasites, the health of the shrimp must be very poor.

④ If farmers do not want to lose all their money, they will definitely try to control it. Therefore, from an economic perspective, such serious parasitic infections will not occur.