Oysters: benefits and harm to the human body

Oysters have been known since ancient times. From ancient times, everyone could afford this dish, mostly it was popular among the poor who could not buy expensive meat of animal origin. Soon, humanity was so pleased with the new delicacy that mollusk populations began to decline at an unprecedented rate.

What are oysters and how do they look

Currently, oysters are an exquisite delicacy that not everyone can afford.

Oysters belong to the family of bivalve mollusks. The most comfortable habitat for these seafood are warm ponds. There are not only huge oyster colonies, but also single settlements. The mollusks have an asymmetric bivalve shell, the size, color and shape of which can vary greatly depending on the type of mollusk, live at depths of 40–70 m.

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There are about 50 varieties of oysters, among which there are deep and flat species.

Deep oysters are common in the waters of the Pacific basin and have a size of 5-50 cm. They are bred in special conditions that contribute to the improvement of their quality. In turn, the deep varieties of mollusks are divided into the following types:

• De Claire (contain the largest amount of fat in its composition);
• Special (largest);
• White pearls (mother-of-pearl shell of an unusual shape);
• Croesus (meatiness is characteristic);
• Blue clam (shell has an unusual blue hue).

Flat oysters have small sizes - up to 5 cm. Among them, there are varieties:

• Morin Oleron (unusual aftertaste);
• Buzig (natural flavor of spices and salt);
• Gravett (yellow shell with a greenish tint);
• Belon (gray shade of the shell).

What is the difference between mussels and oysters

Many people mistakenly equate oysters with mussels, however, both seafood are similar only in that they have shells consisting of two leaves. Mussels, unlike oysters, have muscles and are able to change their location. The mussel shell is smoother, with smooth edges, while the oyster has a shell with uneven edges and is larger.

These seafood have different flavoring features. They are also prepared in different ways: mussels are consumed in cooked form, oysters are eaten alive. The latter is an exquisite expensive delicacy whose taste will delight a real gourmet, while mussels are sold inexpensively in any supermarket.

Composition and calorie content

Oysters are not only a delicacy, but also a dietary product consisting mainly of protein. Calorie content is only 70 calories per 100 g, which means that eating a mollusk will not only not harm the figure, but on the contrary, it will bring benefits, helping to strengthen muscle mass.

The meaty part contains magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus and other trace elements useful for the body, as well as vitamins A, B, C, E. Oysters contain 2.5 g of fat, 8.7 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates, 83 g of water, 1.1 g of dietary fiber.

What are oysters good for?

General benefit

To maximize the benefits of shellfish, they are eaten raw. During heat treatment, a delicacy loses not only its refined taste, but also its beneficial properties. Regular use of oysters contributes to the following changes in the body:

• bone condition improves;
• thyroid function normalizes;
• there is a decrease in blood pressure;
• emotional state improves;
• visual acuity is restored;
• the skin takes on a fresh and healthy appearance;
• iron levels increase;
• the amount of cholesterol decreases;
• the risk of cancer is reduced.

For women

Before every woman, sooner or later, a question arises related to the preservation of their own youth and beauty. Eating a valuable clam can help in this situation.

The meaty portion of the seafood contains the substance arginine. This amino acid is able to have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, improving their color and condition. In addition to skin rejuvenation and getting rid of small wrinkles, there is a noticeable positive effect on the hair, they grow faster and look healthier.

For men

Regular consumption of shellfish can enhance men's health. Thanks to this, the attraction of a man to a woman increases, which allows you to maintain a healthy emotional atmosphere in the family, which is not only the key to happiness, but also prolongs life.

During intercourse, the male body loses a large amount of zinc, which can be easily replaced by eating oysters.

Hair loss is an important problem in many men. It is believed that the use of delicacy reduces premature hair loss in a strong half of humanity.

During pregnancy

Pregnancy is the most exciting and important stage in the life of every woman. Expectant mothers in this period are ready for anything to bear and give birth to a healthy baby. During pregnancy, you have to make a variety of restrictions, including carefully reviewing your diet. However, doctors do not recommend avoiding the use of oysters during the period of bearing the baby. This product has a large list of properties that are useful for women in an interesting position:

• low nutritional value with a high protein content;
• lack of influence on weight gain;
• positive effect on the cardiovascular system.

As in any issues related to nutrition, doctors recommend, first of all, to comply with the measure, this approach will eliminate any negative consequences.

When breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a period during which you should not experiment with nutrition. It is necessary to eat foods familiar to the region of residence. If a young mother regularly included seafood in her diet during pregnancy, then you should not refuse delicacies during breastfeeding. Otherwise, the baby may have an allergic reaction.

As during pregnancy, the products should be subjected to thorough heat treatment, since pathogenic microbes through milk can enter the child's body and cause, in addition to allergies, gastrointestinal problems.

For children

The child’s body is actively growing and developing, requiring many useful substances. Protein is the basis of strong muscles, so oysters rich in it are useful for a child from a scientific point of view. Do not forget that the digestive system of children is not so strong, unlike an adult. For this reason, do not experiment. It is necessary to introduce seafood in small portions after 5–7 years, checking the general condition of the child and preventing the occurrence of allergic reactions. At the same time, oysters should be processed, a raw product should not be given to children, the consequences can be the most unpredictable.

When losing weight

Protein supports muscle tone and does not contribute to the growth of body fat. Oysters are more than half protein. The amount of fat and carbohydrates in the seafood is minimal, so you can eat oysters during the diet.

Oysters in medicine

Due to its beneficial properties and rich chemical composition, which includes a wide variety of elements, mollusks have found application in medicine. So, Japanese pharmaceutical companies produce concentrated oyster extract. A dietary supplement, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, helps to improve the condition of the skin and hair, positively affects potency, removes toxins, and increases the protective function of the body.

Harm and contraindications

For those who like to eat raw oysters, it is important to understand that all thermally unprocessed foods contain a large number of microbes, which can have a negative effect. Oyster must be live, a dead product loses its beneficial properties.

Limit the use of shellfish should:

• with a tendency to allergic reactions;
• hyperthyroidism due to the high iodine content;
• protein intolerance.

Shellfish grown in superheated ponds can contain harmful bacteria that contribute to the development of negative effects on the digestive system.

The sink must be opened carefully, uneven particles caught in the pulp of seafood can harm the stomach and esophagus.

Eating untreated thermally oysters is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

Is it possible to poison oysters

Unfortunately, as practice shows, cases of seafood poisoning are far from uncommon. For this reason, you should visit trusted restaurants and cafes that value their reputation and provide their guests with only quality service, especially related to food. It is advisable that the cooking takes place in the presence of the visitor.

It is worth paying attention to the weight of the closed sink, it should be heavy due to the water contained inside. Seafood should have a pleasant marine smell and respond to touch with cutlery, that is, to be alive.

Mollusk grown under adverse conditions can become a source of severe poisoning caused by poisonous bacteria. During the day, a severe indigestion develops, accompanied by inexhaustible diarrhea and vomiting. The body is dehydrated, which can lead to death. In this case, urgent medical attention is needed.

How to choose and store oysters

When buying oysters in a store, you should follow the same general recommendations as in a restaurant:

1. The store should, at the request of the buyer, provide information on the habitat of the mollusks and the conditions under which they were grown.
2. Carapace flaps should be tightly closed, the sink should be wet.
3. Feels the weight of the sink.
4. Acquiring open oysters is not recommended.
5. When opening the shell flaps, a characteristic click is heard.
6. Live oysters have a pleasant smell and transparent color.
7. It is believed that small-sized seafood has the best taste.

It is recommended to use mollusks fresh, that is, immediately after purchase. If you plan to postpone the meal, it is important to know the features of storage of seafood.

Although oysters live in warm ponds, they are stored outdoors at lower temperatures, so seafood should be placed in the refrigerator compartment and ordinary ice should be placed under them. If there is no ice in everyday life, you can use any frozen food, a bag of vegetables or a piece of meat is suitable. In this way, clams can be stored for no more than 6 hours. With the timely replacement of ice or packages with freezing, seafood is able to maintain its freshness and taste for one week. Do not forget that this method of storage is suitable for closed sinks.

It is not recommended to store oysters in a closed container, without access to fresh air, the mollusk will die.

The peeled oysters are stored together with their liquid in a clean container on an ice pillow for no more than three days. Do not eat shellfish, whose body has acquired a white tint.

Cooked oysters are not subject to long-term storage. Boiled clams are poured with vegetable oil and stored in glass or ceramic dishes for no more than 7 days. Dishes with the addition of such oysters store no more than 5 hours.

Is it possible to freeze

If necessary, you can extend the shelf life of seafood by freezing, but with this method of storage, oysters lose their taste. It is recommended that the mollusks be cleaned of their shells and stored in the freezer for no more than one month. After thawing, the color of the oysters should remain transparent.

How to open oyster at home

Not everyone can afford to eat oysters in expensive restaurants. Currently, overseas delicacy can be found on the shelves of almost any hypermarket. A product rich in useful substances is always interesting to the consumer, but many buyers pass by the department with a delicacy because of the many questions that arise, mainly related to the process of opening a mollusk shell. To simplify the difficult task at first glance, it is possible by acquiring a special knife, which can be found in the neighboring department, but if the desired item could not be found, there is no reason to delay acquaintance with a new useful delicacy. In any case, do not opt ​​for open oysters. A well-known lemon and an ordinary kitchen knife can help everyone in this matter.

To begin with, wash the sinks with running water and thoroughly clean their surface of sand with a hard sponge or kitchen brush, otherwise the grains of sand can get inside when opening the leaves.

Properly selected shells contain a living mollusk, which is able to respond to external influences. This effect can be achieved with lemon juice. It is necessary to cut the lemon into halves and carefully squeeze the juice to the place of fastening the wings. Aggressive acidic environment helps to reduce oysters and lead to the opening of the shell.

If there is no lemon at home, you can use an ordinary knife. It is recommended to wrap the knife handle with a towel or use rag gloves - this is necessary to reduce slipping. The product is important to squeeze firmly in the palm of your hand so as not to splash the juice. With a knife, it is necessary to carefully cut the muscle of the mollusk, due to which the shell flaps are tightly compressed. Manipulation should be carried out closer to the flat leaf, which is then removed and the rest of the fleshy part is separated. Before using the delicacy, it is important to make sure that there are no fragments of the shell, they often have sharp edges and can lead to mechanical damage to the esophagus and the walls of the stomach.

If you often want to treat yourself to delicious seafood, you should buy a special knife. It has a curved, sturdy, small-sized blade and is the safest alternative to a conventional kitchen helper. A special knife for opening oyster shells will avoid cuts and wounds.

How to eat oysters

Oysters are usually served on the table on an ice cushion, this method will save the freshness of the product and the refined taste. In this form, the meal should not last more than 30 minutes. Be sure to bring slices of lemon. Some establishments serve slices of bread and sweet and sour sauce, emphasizing the unusual taste of seafood.

The sink is taken in the hand, a few drops of lemon are dripped, thereby checking the quality of the oyster (you should never neglect this manipulation), then the pulp is pulled up with a special fork and sent to the mouth, washed down with the liquid that remains in the leaf. You do not need to add salt, the oyster already contains this spice. Real gourmets suck oysters directly from the sink along with the juice. Seafood does not need to be chewed. As drinks, sparkling champagne or dry white wine are served on the table.

How much can you eat per day

This question is very individual. One oyster is enough for someone, and someone is ready to eat a dozen at a time.

Typically, in cultural institutions, women are offered a portion consisting of 8 pieces, men - up to 12.

Protein seafood promotes rapid saturation, so you should not reload the body with additional dishes with a high calorie content. It is better to opt for a light dish, such as a vegetable salad.

Is it possible to eat in a post

Fasting is a period of physical and spiritual purification. Do not confuse this gap with a strict diet.

Representatives of the clergy believe that during fasting you need to eat simple food familiar to humans in everyday life. If oysters are constantly on the menu, then you should not completely exclude them from the diet, if the product is a rare delicacy, then it is more correct to temporarily abandon its use. If there is an urgent need to enjoy your favorite dish, do not rush to refuse. It is important to observe the measure, and the oyster eaten will in no way affect spiritual cleansing and repentance.

Is it possible to eat river oysters

Often while resting by the river you can find seashells called river oysters. The very phrase "river oyster" conjures up the idea of ​​an overseas delicacy and is associated with a food suitable for food.

The main difference between river oysters and sea delicacies is that the former should never be eaten raw. The reason for this ban lies in the purpose of river mollusks. They pass tons of river water through themselves, while performing the functions of peculiar natural filters necessary for water purification. Salt deposits of heavy metals, harmful microorganisms and bacteria are retained in the body of the river mollusk. The use of such a product without heat treatment can cause irreparable harm to the human body in the form of poisoning and infection with parasites.

If, nevertheless, there is a desire to taste the river oyster, it is necessary to cook it correctly. The recommendations include the following points:

1. Only tightly closed sinks are suitable for cooking.
2. Before cooking, the river product is thoroughly washed and cleaned with a hard sponge.
3. To open the sink, it is enough to hold it for several minutes near the fire.

Connoisseurs of river oysters advise them to fry in a creamy-garlic sauce with added salt and spices or stew with potatoes and onions.

River oysters have a simpler taste and modest beneficial properties, unlike seafood.

Interesting facts about oysters

1. There are about 50 different species of mollusks, the shell sizes of some of them can reach 40 cm.
2. Oysters do not need a partner to breed. A female mollusk can lay 0.5 billion eggs per year.
3. Due to the reduction of some species of mollusks, their production is seasonal.
4. Man has learned to grow oysters in an artificial environment.
5. Mollusks live well in warm bodies of water, but on land for maintenance of vital activity it is necessary to maintain low temperatures.
6. In fresh water, the mollusk dies.
7. Some species have the ability to grow pearls, which in ancient times was considered a real treasure. Now it has lost its value due to the fact that a person has learned to grow it by artificial methods.
8. It is oysters that owe such an invention as a refrigerator car. During the time of tsarist Russia, it delivered a delicacy to the imperial table.
9. Frequent use of a delicacy helps maintain the required amount of protein in the body, improves mood, and fights insomnia and depression perfectly.
10. Oysters saturate their body with oxygen, passing water through themselves.
11. If necessary, the mollusk can spontaneously change its gender.
12. Seafood contains a huge number of useful components and has incredible properties.
13. The product is eaten alive, the mollusks do not need to chew. Living individuals have a wet shell. Open sashes are a sign of an unsuitable product. Depending on personal preferences, seafood is pickled, boiled, and used in many dishes.
14. Oysters attach to a specific place and spend their entire remaining life without movement. Until the moment of attachment, they can move with the help of a special process, which atrophies over time.
15. There are no two absolutely identical oyster shells; they have a wide variety of colors, shapes and even patterns.
16. In ancient times, oysters were considered the food of the poor, only after the reduction of oyster populations did the product become a valuable and expensive treat.
17. The character of one novel ate two dozen oysters for breakfast to maintain his libido.
18. A. Chekhov in one of his stories wrote about the invented amusing ability of oysters to squeak from fear of being sent to the mouth.

Photo oysters