Eating boiled eggs is a common practice for most families, and after taking out the eggs, most of us will also pour out the water. But do you know that there are many hidden benefits in the egg-boiling water? It is rich in valuable nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and can be reused in various clever ways.
Eggs are a staple in the kitchen, enjoying the reputation of being a “complete nutritional food” due to their high-quality proteins, lecithin, various vitamins, and essential minerals needed by the human body. Although eggs can be prepared in many ways, eating boiled eggs is the best because this method has the highest absorption rate in the body. Boiled eggs not only retain the vitamins most completely, but also have a protein digestion rate as high as 99.7%.
Just like eggs contain nutritional elements, egg-boiling water also contains beneficial nutrients. This is because during the boiling process, the nutrients from the eggshell and egg white often seep out. The nutrients in egg water include calcium, magnesium, potassium, as well as small amounts of phosphorus and iron. In fact, the presence of calcium is beneficial for the structural growth of plants. Additionally, magnesium plays a crucial role in enzyme function, helping plants to absorb nutrients more efficiently. On the other hand, potassium is essential for regulating the water balance in plants and the human body. The presence of these minerals makes egg-boiling water a valuable resource that can be utilized in various interesting ways.
According to the home decor website “Apartment Therapy,” plants love calcium. When calcium is present in the soil, it helps control the pH value. Neutral soil with a pH value between 6.0 and 6.5 provides an ideal environment for plants to absorb the necessary nutrients. Do you know what naturally contains calcium? That would be eggshells. Boiling eggshells in hot water for a period of time is a good way to infuse calcium into the water.
After the boiled egg water has cooled, using it to water plants is a good choice.
An article in the lifestyle section of “The Times of India” reports that while it may seem like an unusual remedy, boiled egg water is a good natural shampoo. The minerals in the water can help strengthen the hair follicles, reduce dandruff, and promote healthy, shiny hair.
Simply let the water cool and then use it as a final rinse after shampooing. It is beneficial for dry or damaged hair, as the nutrient content in the water helps nourish the scalp and hair strands. The minerals from eggshells can even help restore the elasticity and smoothness of the hair.
“The Times of India” further reports that the beneficial minerals in egg-boiling water for plants and hair can also be useful in cleaning. The slightly alkaline nature of the egg-boiling water helps break down grease and dirt, making it a natural cleaner for kitchen surfaces. Moreover, you can pour the cooled egg water into the dishwasher or washing machine to enhance their cleaning capabilities, making it an eco-friendly alternative to chemical cleaners.
Egg-boiling water can speed up the composting process. The minerals in the water act as catalysts, aiding in the more efficient breakdown of organic matter. Pouring cooled egg-boiling water into a compost bin can promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms, decomposing food scraps and organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. It also adds some additional moisture, which is crucial for the composting process.
In addition to using egg-boiling water, eggshells can also be used as compost material or soil additives after cleaning, drying, and crushing them.