You may have seen the viral wellness tip: save your eggshells, boil them, grind them into a fine powder, and add them to smoothies or food for a natural calcium boost. At first glance, it seems clever—eggshells are mostly calcium carbonate, the same form found in many supplements.
But here’s the truth that wellness influencers often leave out: eating boiled and ground eggshells is not a safe or reliable way to get calcium.
Let’s explore why.
First, What’s in an Eggshell?
Yes, eggshells are about 95% calcium carbonate—the same compound found in many over-the-counter calcium supplements. This has led to the assumption that they must be a good, natural calcium source.
But natural doesn’t automatically mean safe or effective.
