Mercury, a heavy metal, is an environmental contaminant often present in seafood. Eating too much contaminated seafood can prove toxic to the nervous system and is especially dangerous for pregnant women and young children. You don't have to worry about mercury contamination when you eat oysters. According to a joint report by the FDA and the EPA , oysters rank among the "best choices" for seafood and are safe to eat two or three times a week.
Eating raw oysters does, however, carry other risks, especially for certain individuals. These mollusks live close to shore and may ingest bacteria or pick up viruses from sewage runoff. Consuming raw oysters is especially risky for young children, pregnant women, older people and individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy. To cut risk of food poisoning, steam or bake your oysters. Seafood Health Facts recommends steaming them for four to nine minutes after you see steam rising.
When boiling oysters, continue to cook for three to five minutes after the shells open. Bake shucked oysters for a minimum of three minutes at very high heat. Read more: The 9 Safest Seafood Options. Jill Corleone is a registered dietitian with more than 20 years of experience.
Paula Martinac. Paula Martinac is a nutrition educator, writer and coach. Her areas of research interest include stress and weight management and women's health. Raw oysters on the half-shell are low in calories but may carry food-safety risks. Video of the Day. Recipes Health Benefits.
Protein Our bodies need protein to build strong bones, muscles, skin and cells. Zinc Oysters contain more zinc than any other food. Omega 3 Fatty Acids Oysters are loaded with Omega 3 Fatty Acids, a class of polyunsaturated fats that are necessary for many vital functions. Calcium Oysters are naturally high in calcium which helps with strong bones and works to help keep your joints free of inflammation and arthritis aids in blood clotting and activates enzymes to help with digestion.
Vitamin C A great source of Vitamin C, oysters contain antioxidants that protect your body from free radicals, which may cause heart disease and cancer. More healthy facts The New Zealand Heart Foundation recommends you should have at least two servings of fish or seafood per week.
Bluff oysters are reputed to have aphrodisiac qualities. Oysters may also fill a nutrient deficit that contributes to impotence in some men. Psychologically that might be enough to make you feel like quite a catch — and where that leads is all in your court. There are other common questions about eating oysters. Are they alive when people eat them? How do you prepare oysters?
At restaurants, oysters are shucked or opened with a knife by prying the connective muscle at their base. They arrive on a glittering bed of crushed ice with a wide-open look inside their pearly shells. Some douse them in vinegary mignonette, brighten them up with a squeeze of lemon or a drop of hot sauce to spice things up. And some take them as they come with their cold, salty-sea freshness as the only thing needed to slurp them down whole.
Low levels of zinc may decrease testosterone levels and impair sperm quality. Zinc is necessary for maintaining levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in male sexual health 5 , 6. Some research suggests that increasing dopamine production increases sexual arousal. It may also help treat erectile dysfunction and other sexual symptoms caused by medications such as antidepressants 7.
Because oysters are rich in zinc, they may help maintain healthy levels of dopamine to enhance sexual function. Still, additional human studies are needed to evaluate whether foods rich in zinc, such as oysters, directly affect dopamine levels and libido. Oysters are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which play a central role in many aspects of health 9. In particular, omega-3s have been shown to help reduce inflammation, improve heart health , and protect against heart disease They may likewise boost blood flow, which may help treat erectile dysfunction 11 , In a study in rats, omega-3 supplements increased blood flow and improved erectile function Oysters are high in omega-3s, which may increase blood flow and aid erectile and testicular function.
Oysters are a good source of many nutrients that may help support sexual health. In particular, the zinc in oysters may increase testosterone levels and help maintain healthy levels of dopamine.
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