According to Real Simple, many adults still fall short on calcium intake, prompting interest in unconventional sources.
Eggshells, made almost entirely of calcium carbonate, offer a concentrated dose when finely ground.
A study in Bratislava Medical Journal suggests that eggshell powder may support bone health in people with osteoporosis, though the authors stress that evidence remains preliminary.
The membrane inside the shell also contains collagen, which research in the International Journal of Dermatology links to modest improvements in skin quality.
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Safety first
Despite these findings, scientists repeatedly underline safety concerns.
Raw shells may carry salmonella, and sharp fragments can cause injury.
Real Simple therefore recommends boiling shells for about 15 minutes and grinding them into a fine powder.
Even when processed correctly, homemade supplements vary widely in cleanliness, dosage, and texture, which makes them harder to evaluate than commercial calcium products.
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A growing trend
Turning food waste into functional ingredients is gaining traction globally, and eggshells are already used in some regions as a low-cost calcium source in animal feed.
For humans, however, studies remain small, and researchers advise viewing eggshells only as a potential supplement, never a substitute for balanced dietary intake or clinically validated treatments.
Sources: Real Simple, Bratislava Medical Journal og International Journal of Dermatology.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.