I don’t think I’ll find a half dozen for $3 here in NYC.
This is an idea that’s been a long time coming. Tonight I’m kicking off a blog project eating a half dozen oysters each evening, both to check out a variety of oyster happy hours and to see how daily oysters make me feel.
Probably five years ago, maybe longer, my husband John and I took a vacation in Key West. We immediately fell in love with the Half Shell Raw Bar and made it a ritual to go there each evening for oyster happy hour on the water.
I noticed by the end of the trip, I felt especially good. That can happen after a week of relaxation in a charming place, but the Half Shell table tents bragged about the health benefits of oysters so I wondered if there might be more to it.
For example, in a slide show on the benefits of eating oysters, Rodale News writes:
Whether you love them raw, fried, or on the half shell, oysters can provide you with a host of health benefits, among them, high levels of heart- and brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids and enough zinc (the aphrodisiac mineral) to keep your mojo flowing all night.
Oysters really are an aphrodisiac.
Sometimes. Maybe. Very few scientific studies have shown that oysters can actually raise your sexual desire, but they still could help spur it on. Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food; zinc is a key mineral for sexual health in men, and severe cases of zinc deficiency can lead to impotence.
Yes, oysters have a long association with lovin’. In an article titled 40 Foods with Superpowers, Men’s Health writes:
Shellfish, in general, is an excellent source of zinc, calcium, copper, iodine, iron, potassium, and selenium. “But the creamy flesh of oysters stands apart for its ability to elevate testosterone levels and protect against prostate cancer,” says Bass. “They aren’t a food most people will eat regularly, but getting five into your diet twice a week will make your weekends more fun.”
There’s more to oysters than boosting your libido, of course — you’ll find other sources touting oysters for their heart benefits, and for their mood benefits, like this from SFGate.com:
The B vitamins are known as energy-releasing vitamins because they break down carbohydrates for energy. Oysters are very high in B-12, known scientifically as cobalamin, and they contain moderate amounts of riboflavin and niacin. A 1-cup serving of oysters contains 362 percent of the recommended daily intake of B-12, 13 percent of riboflavin and 11 percent of niacin. Since B vitamins are water soluble, they are eliminated from the body. Eat foods rich in B vitamins throughout the day to replenish this vitamin.
Then there’s this oyster health rundown from Coast Seafood … what possible bias could they have?
Oysters are loaded with Omega 3 Fatty Acids which are good for your joints, skin, vision, brain, heart, and helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. 100g (about 6 medium oysters) have 740mg of Omega 3 Fatty Acids. The average recommended daily value is 1000mg for women and 600mg for men.
Here’s how a daily dose of Omega-3 fatty acids can improve and protect your body’s functioning:
- Lubricates joints – By keeping joints lubricated, you experience less grinding and less overall wear and tear – and thereby – less pain as you age.
- Decreases inflammation in inflamed joints.
- Fights wrinkles – As we age, fat cells in our skin’s third layer thin out; Omega-3s help make that layer thicker and smooth. The effect? Wrinkles go away and skin becomes fuller. Protects Vision – Our eyes’ retinas are membranous structures and the whole eye is covered in a soft double layer of membranes, making your eyes’ health dependent on the liver. The liver helps metabolize fat-soluble vitamins that feed and maintain those membranes. If you’re deficient, it affects how we see by delaying the system that converts light into neural energy in the retina.
- Pumps the heart – Omega-3s reduce triglycerides, stabilize your heartbeat, make platelets “less sticky” and can even lower blood pressure.
- Attacks Acne – An inadequate intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids contributes to breakout-prone skin.
- Clears Cholesterol – Boosts levels of HDL (the good cholesterol) and helps clear your arteries.
- Boosts the Brain – In keeping your arteries clear, you’re immediately improving brain function. They also alter your neurotransmitters to help reduce depression.
So follow along as I check out some of the most popular oyster happy hours in New York and New Orleans, even one or two in Austin, Texas. I’ll be partnering with some oyster bars to help defray the cost, with the venues providing me and a guest a half dozen oysters and a beverage, but without knowing when I’m coming and without knowing who I am until after I’ve been served. The intent is to give a fair and honest assessment of the oysters, the service and the vibe, while giving a shoutout to places willing to help with the cost of the project.
If you’d like to join me for oysters, or if you’d like me to consider your oyster happy hour, leave a note in the comments. The more the merrier!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GW37Kqf8Ao]