Is it better to eat oysters raw or cooked?

My husband says eating raw oysters provides more nutrients and is good for sexual health, but I'm afraid of bacterial infection and food poisoning, so I insist on cooking them thoroughly. Which is better? (Trang, 25 years old, Hanoi )

Reply:

Oysters are rich in vitamins, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and cholesterol, making them beneficial for adults, children, and especially men. Oysters contain 6-10 times more zinc than other foods, which is crucial for the male reproductive system. Zinc balances and regulates testosterone levels, boosting testosterone production in men and improving sexual function.

Zinc is also an antioxidant that neutralizes oxidants, helping to reduce sperm abnormalities and improve sperm quality and motility.

However, oysters live in a marine environment and are easily contaminated by environmental pollution. As shellfish living on the seabed, they carry more pathogens than other species. The idea that eating raw oysters provides more nutrients than cooked oysters is incorrect. Besides oysters, other types of seafood can also cause food poisoning and bacterial infections if eaten raw.

Improper oyster preparation also creates conditions for bacteria to enter the body. Oysters should be soaked in clean water or saltwater for about three hours to remove dirt and mud deep within the shells.

Besides oysters, you can supplement your diet with vegetables such as beans, mushrooms, and meat. Oysters are nutritious, but you shouldn't eat too many at once or too often to avoid excess zinc, which can cause nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, bitter taste in the mouth, flu-like symptoms, and copper deficiency, making you more susceptible to illness.

Eating too many oysters can increase cholesterol levels in the blood, leading to a higher risk of serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Some people are allergic to seafood, so they should be careful to avoid irritation, rashes, hives, itching, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.

Doctor Phan Chi Thanh
Outpatient Department, National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/an-hau-song-hay-nau-chin-tot-hon-4698761.html