Why Oysters are a Health Superfood: The Top 5 Benefits
If you’re looking for a new food to add to your diet, consider the ink black shellfish that helped build the United States’ East Coast in colonial times. Oysters provide more than just a taste of the ocean; they’re also an excellent source of nutrition. Here are five ways incorporating oysters into your diet can improve your health.
1. Rich in Nutrients
Oysters are an excellent source of nutrients, especially minerals. They’re high in zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, and vitamin B12. Just six raw eastern oysters contain 28 grams of protein, 20 milligrams of vitamin C, 67 micrograms of selenium, and 8 milligrams of zinc.
Zinc is an essential mineral that supports the immune system, wound healing, and healthy growth during pregnancy and childhood. While seafood is the best source of dietary zinc, oysters have higher levels of available zinc per serving than any other food.
2. Boosts Brain and Heart Health
Oysters are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain function and heart health. They contain both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the two most beneficial types of omega-3s. Eating an oyster supply meets the recommended daily intake of omega-3s.
Research shows that consuming seafood twice weekly is linked to a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from heart disease. Oysters consistently rank high in antioxidant capacity. They also contain tyrosine, an amino acid that helps regulate mood and symptoms of anxiety.
3. Good for the Skin
Oysters contain high levels of zinc, which is an essential mineral for skin health. It supports cell growth and repair, wound healing, and collagen production.
The mineral also has a reputation for helping to clear up acne. Zinc helps regulate hormones that contribute to acne development, reducing inflammation and scar formation.
4. Improves Sexual Health
For centuries, people have believed that oysters are an aphrodisiac. While there’s no scientific evidence to support that claim, oysters may improve sexual health in other ways.
Oysters are high in zinc, which plays a crucial role in testosterone production. Low zinc levels can cause a decrease in sexual health and function in both men and women. Eating oysters may help maintain healthy levels of testosterone, which could improve sexual desire, arousal, and performance.
5. Promotes Weight Loss
Oysters are low in calories and are an excellent source of protein. They’re also a filling food that can help reduce cravings and prevent overeating. One serving of oysters has about 6 grams of protein and only 50 calories.
Some studies suggest that high-protein diets can help promote weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness and reducing caloric intake. Although oysters alone won’t cause significant weight loss, incorporating them into a well-balanced diet may help.
Conclusion
Oysters are an excellent addition to a healthy diet, providing a vast array of benefits. They are high in essential nutrients, offer benefits for the brain and heart, skin, sexual health, and weight loss management. So, if you’re looking to try something new or want to boost your diet’s nutritional value, consider adding oysters to your menu.
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