Sorry, I don't mean to be an ass or anything of the sort.
But why does denaturing the protein affect its nutritional content?
its more like its quality than it content
From my understanding of digestion (at least in humans and I'm assuming other animals), all proteins/carbs must be broken down to their constituent amino acids/glucose molecules before they can be absorbed across the intestines. I can see how heat will denature the proteins, hence changing their forms, but I don't see how that would possibly affect the digestion process. Digestive enzymes aren't very specific about shape of the protein.
you are correct, During digestion, the proteins are denatured by stomach acid allowing them to be broken down by proteolytic enzymes to their amino acid components.
but once denatured(in this instance, by extreme heat), a protein loses most, if not all of its biological activity. when it is denatured the secondary and tertiary structures are altered but the peptide bonds between the amino acids are left intact, and Since the structure of the protein determines its function, the protein can no longer perform its function once it has been denatured.
Would it be possible to show me some credible evidence of this denatured protein concept? (Once again, don't misunderstand me, this is in no way an attack on you, but just for my own understanding.)
Though I'm not suggesting that your technique involving cold water defrosting rather than warm water isn't sound. Being a microbiology student, I can easily see how defrosting shrimp in warm water then putting it in the fridge will cause a huge explosion of bacteria. Microbiology aside, one doesnt defrost food one cooks in warm water, then refrigerates it anyways, it's culinary common sense. Though immediate consumption of warm water defrosted foods shouldn't be a problem.