Generally yes it causes it to swell. Polyurethane is harder wearing and there is a lot of sliding on the shelf surface.

If you want the best of both a liner polyurethane cures fast and is rock hard it is inert when cured. It is also quite expensive I think about 60-70$ a quart. Great suff however one shot one coat it is two part and once mix it is going to turn to solid plastic and there is no stopping it. I have used the system 3 version it is a great product.