What Are the Benefits of Eating Raw Oysters?
Since the time of the Romans, humans have been consuming oysters for sustenance and pleasure. Despite many modern fears about the safety of filter-feeding shellfish due to heavy metal content, oysters are a delicious and healthful choice for the vast majority of potential consumers. While originally considered a food of the lower class, oysters exist on menus at both high-end restaurants and local fried seafood shacks alike.
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Oyster Content
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Raw oysters consist of 23 percent carbohydrates, 33 percent fat and 44 percent protein. This makes them a balanced food and a good source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Vitamins and Minerals
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Oysters are a good source of zinc, selenium, vitamin D, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.
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Zinc
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Oysters have 225 mg of zinc per serving (1,500 percent of recommended daily value). According to the International Zinc Association, zinc is an essential mineral for cell division, skin and hair health and immune response.
Selenium
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One serving of raw oysters also contains 158 micrograms, or 226 percent of your daily value, of selenium. This mineral is an antioxidant that prevents the buildup of free radicals within cells and aids in immune response.
Amino Acids
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Oysters are a complete protein in that they contain all essential amino acids necessary for proper functioning of the human body.
Warnings
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The American Pregnancy Association recommends pregnant women avoid the consumption of raw shellfish due to potential heavy metal content and algae-borne illness. Additionally, oysters are high in cholesterol, so those trying to reduce serum cholesterol levels should not eat them.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Roland Tanglao
