Whether you like them raw, baked, boiled, grilled or fried, oysters are a nutritional powerhouse. Here are several nutritional benefits that come along with eating oysters:
Help Weight Loss
Oysters are low in calories and fat but contain a high protein content, making them a fantastic food choice if you’re watching your waistline. In fact, oysters have half the number of calories contained in an equivalent serving of chicken, even though chicken is an already excellent low-fat protein source.
Heart Healthy
A serving of six or so oysters will deliver about 18% of your daily value of vitamin C, which is a vital chemical essential for healthy nerve function.
Omega-3-fatty acids are known to reduce the risk of cardiac diseases and enhance brain function. They increase the level of good cholesterol and decrease the level of bad cholesterol. Oysters are good sources of this form of fatty acid.
The presence of magnesium and potassium also help to lower blood pressure and iron helps carry oxygen to blood cells. Oysters are also high in potassium, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids which help reduce the overall risk of stroke and heart attack. They are also effective at lowering blood pressure.
Mood Stabilizer
The high levels of zinc you ingest when eating oysters also work to stabilize your mood. Several studies have shown that adequate zinc intake is effective at reducing bouts of anger, depression, and anxiety. It contains zinc which reduces the risk of infection from microbes and aids the healing process. Intake of oysters also promotes adequate growth and development in children and adults.
Researchers agree that lack of zinc may result in mental lethargy and poor hair growth. Zinc also provides mood stability, reducing anxiety, depression, and anger. Synthesizing and boosting collagen levels to improve skin appearance and cell turnover are also properties that can be attributed to oyster consumption.
Aphrodisiacs
It has been proven that oysters really are aphrodisiacs – with scientists stressed that the oysters have to be eaten raw to be most effective.
Not only are oysters a delicious seafood treat, but it turns out they are pretty healthy for you! The next time you have a craving for a healthy meal, stop by Mare Oyster Bar in Boston’s North End.