In recent years, interest in natural, low-cost, and sustainable health practices has grown rapidly, especially as more people seek alternatives to expensive supplements and highly processed products. Social media platforms, blogs, and wellness forums are filled with tips that promise simple solutions using everyday household items. Among these ideas, one that appears again and again is the claim that boiling eggshells can “cure,” “prevent,” or “eliminate” various health problems. Some posts suggest it can strengthen bones, stop joint pain, improve digestion, balance minerals, or even “detox” the body. Others claim that drinking eggshell water can replace calcium supplements entirely.
These claims are often presented as ancient wisdom or “grandmother’s remedies,” giving them an air of credibility and tradition. But how much of this is supported by real science, and how much is based on misunderstanding or exaggeration? To answer that, it is important to look closely at what eggshells are made of, how the body processes minerals, and what boiling actually does. Eggshells are composed primarily of calcium carbonate, making up about 90 to 95 percent of their structure. The remaining portion contains small amounts of protein, collagen-like compounds, and trace minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and iron. Calcium is, of course, essential for human health.