Seven Things You Didn’t Know About Oysters

January 30, 2015

Oysters are one of the most nutrient packed types of seafood out there. From their high concentrations of vitamins and minerals to healthy proteins and fats, oysters have a lot to offer in a small package. Learn more about these amazing molluscs in this week’s blog.

Seven Things You Didn’t Know About Oysters

1. They have tons of zinc. A single serving of oysters has a whopping 1,500% of your daily requirements of zinc. Zinc has a number of health benefits, including providing a boost to your immune system. The flu is going around, so make sure you get enough zinc!
2. Oysters have a very low calories to serving size ratio. “Compared to an equal serving size of chicken, oysters have nearly half the calories,” according to organicfacts.net.
3. Oysters pack a punch with protein. A single serving of oysters has 1/3 of your daily requirement of protein. While your first thought might be of protein as a muscle builder, it also helps with tissue repair, cell growth, and regulation of metabolic activity.
4. Oysters are a great source of Omega-3s. You’ve probably heard the buzz about Omega-3 fatty acids. These are a good form of cholesterol, and actually help clean out the bad cholesterol from your system. Omega-3s have also been shown to have a number of other benefits, including improving your heart’s health and your brain’s memory capabilities.
5. They have almost all the iron you need. One serving of oysters has 90% of the iron you need in a day. Iron is needed to produce healthy red blood cells. The more healthy red blood cells you have, the more oxygenated your blood, which benefits all of the systems in your body and increases your body’s metabolic rate.
6. They boost bone health. Oysters have high levels of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper and selenium. All of these help increase your bone density, which helps fight off osteoporosis and other bone conditions.
7. They promote a healthy immune system. Oysters have vitamins C and E as well as a number of minerals the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of which help to fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals can cause everything from heart disease to premature aging, so getting the necessary antioxidants is essential in helping your immune system fight the good fight.

Wednesday Night Buck-a-Shuck Oysters at Catonsville Gourmet

Join us on Wednesday nights for Buck-a-Shuck oysters, with a different oyster featured every week. Available every Wednesday after 5pm at our oyster and sushi bar!

If you have any questions, please contact Catonsville Gourmet by calling 410-788-0005 or visit our website today! You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.