Oysters are more than just a culinary delight; they’re nutritional powerhouses with remarkable environmental benefits.
This blog delves into the dual advantages of oysters, exploring their health benefits and positive environmental impact.
are oysters really good for you?
Tasty and great for your health - that’s oysters.
Oysters are high in essential proteins while being low in calories, offering a guilt-free option for those mindful of what they’re eating.
Oysters are also a rich source of vitamins, including A, C, D, and the all-important B12, vital for supporting healthy nerve cells and helping produce DNA.
But wait - that's not all; they’re packed with a range of minerals like zinc, iron, calcium, and selenium. These minerals play a crucial role in overall health, supporting immune function, boosting brain health and enhancing bone strength.
Speaking of heart health, oysters are particularly beneficial.
They’re abundant in omega-3 fatty acids and potassium, two nutrients that are instrumental in cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their role in reducing the risk of heart diseases, while potassium helps in lowering high blood pressure.
At Saltwater Workshop, we run fresh oyster tours where we teach our guests about the Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea Gigas).
These oysters are fast-growing and sweet-tasting. And not just packed with great nutrition but each oyster works to clean our environment and waterways.
sustainable, environmentally-friendly Seafood
Oysters aren’t just good for our bodies - they’re also an environmentally friendly, sustainable seafood to farm.
Oysters have a natural filtration system, cleaning the water as they feed. Did you know a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water daily? Cleaning the water means that it supports the biodiversity of the marine ecosystem around the already clean and pure waters of the Mahurangi harbour.
Oyster farms create reefs, creating habitats for a variety of marine life and create protection against coastal erosion.
Oyster farming has a low environmental impact compared to other forms of aquaculture, making it a sustainable, environmentally friendly food source.
As oysters are (mollusc) shellfish, they also have a surprising role in binding carbon from the water, which plays a role in helping reduce greenhouse gases. Their shells are composed primarily of calcium carbonate. To build these shells, oysters absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from seawater, combining it with calcium to form calcium carbonate. This process effectively removes CO2 from the water, a form of carbon sequestration.
go ahead and enjoy our Oysters!
Oysters offer a wealth of benefits that extend far beyond their taste.
Their impressive nutritional profile makes them a superb dietary choice, while their environmental impact highlights their role as stewards of the ocean.
Whether it's for health or environmental reasons, enjoying oysters in your diet or supporting sustainable oyster farming practices can have far-reaching benefits.
Discover the wonders of oysters for yourself. Saltwater Workshops’ oyster tours have you learning all about oysters before shucking and enjoying them.
