Are Oysters Nutritional?

Rumored to act as an aphrodisiac, oysters can do much more than boost your love life. Slippery, salty and succulent, oysters have a lot to offer in a small package. The actual nutrition facts of an oyster vary depending on where they were raised or caught. More than 100 varieties of oysters exist, but they all have the same benefits.

Calories, Fat, Protein and Carbohydrates

Oysters are low in calories but filling due to the amount of protein in them. Six raw oysters, according to Hog Island Oysters in California, contain 57 calories and nearly 6 g of protein. The USDA Nutrient Database claims that six medium eastern wild-caught oysters provide 43 calories and almost 5 g of protein. Both Pacific and Atlantic oysters are low in fat with about 1.5 to 2 g of fat in half a dozen oysters. Oysters contain small amounts of naturally occurring carbohydrates from glycogen stores, but there are only 2 to 3 g in six oysters.

Zinc

Many of oysters' benefits come from the fact that they are extremely rich in zinc. The USDA Nutrient Database states that six oysters provide 33 mg of zinc, more than twice the daily recommended intake of zinc. Zinc is essential for your immune system and can be effective for preventing and shortening colds. According to "Nutrition Concepts and Controversies," the immune boosting role of zinc is attributed to the fact that it rids the body of free radicals. Zinc is also essential for digestive functions of the pancreas, metabolizing macronutrients, making heme and making cells' genetic materials.

Other Vitamins and Minerals

The USDA Nutrient Database also points out that oysters are rich in other vitamins and minerals. Oysters are a good source of iron, copper and vitamin B-12. Steamed oysters are a good source of magnesium, a mineral responsible for the operation of more than 300 enzymes, releasing usable energy from nutrients and metabolizing potassium, calcium and vitamin D.

Oysters and Heart Health

Oysters are a good choice for heart health. While they naturally taste salty, they are low in sodium with 71 mg in six oysters. With only 34 mg of cholesterol and less than 0.5 g of saturated fat, oysters fit into a heart-healthy diet. The magnesium in oysters also helps prevent high blood pressure.