Love them or hate them, oysters are a popular dish. They can be eaten in various ways, and for those who are fans of this shellfish, there are few things as satisfying as slurping down a lemon-zinged oyster. There have been stories floating around that attest to the power of oysters as an aphrodisiac. Sadly, these stories aren’t based on facts.
However, what is true are the many health benefits of this dish. Let’s look at some of them here.
Nutritional Benefits of Oysters
Aside from being incredibly delicious, oysters are also known to have a variety of beneficial nutrients that can help improve your overall health. Check them out here.
Protein
Oysters are a great source of protein, essential for maintaining healthy bones and muscles. Research has shown that consuming protein elevates peptide levels, a hormone that makes you feel full. Therefore, oysters aid with weight loss.
Getting the proper amount of protein in your diet can also help regulate blood sugar levels, essential in managing diabetes. Studies also showed that a high protein diet could lower blood triglyceride levels, which can cause heart disease.
Zinc
You may be surprised that oysters have the highest zinc level among food products. Zinc is an essential component of the immune system and aids growth and development. This compound plays a role in reproductive health, which is probably where all these aphrodisiac stories come from.
Vitamin B12
You need B12 to maintain your overall health. It’s a requirement for red blood cell production and nervous system function. A typical serving of raw oysters can provide you with more than six times the vitamin B12 you need.
Oysters are a great way to meet several of your nutritional needs.