Oysters, often called the “milk of the sea” or a “natural nutritional supplement,” are highly nutritious and packed with various nutrients, including minerals and proteins. However, there has been a growing number of cases in which people get infected with Norovirus after consuming oysters. Although norovirus infections have been a consistent issue in the winter, the recent rise in cases linked to commercially sold oysters calls for caution. Let’s look into why eating oysters can lead to norovirus infection and the effects of Norovirus.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus infection is a virus that can easily infect people, even in winter. This is because the virus can survive even at temperatures as low as -20°C. Norovirus is mainly transmitted through food, water, or contact with an infected patient. It is common to get infected when eating raw shellfish like oysters or clams, so it’s best to eat them cooked.
Why do oysters cause Norovirus?
Eating oysters can lead to norovirus infection due to the unsanitary conditions where they are harvested. Norovirus, a virus originating from human waste, contaminates oysters when the areas where they are farmed or the bathrooms near the docks are not adequately cleaned. Contaminated waste can flow directly into the sea, affecting the coastal waters where oysters are grown. Oysters filter and accumulate this contaminated water, leading to their infection with Norovirus. People who consume raw oysters contaminated with this virus can also become infected.
What are the symptoms of Norovirus?
The most common symptom of Norovirus is vomiting. Other symptoms include abdominal pain and watery diarrhea, which typically improve with the individual’s immune response within 1-2 days. However, for adults with weak immunity or fragile intestinal mucosa, symptoms can persist longer, so if diarrhea persists or is accompanied by a fever, it is important to visit a hospital and receive appropriate treatment.
Impact of Norovirus on the Oyster Industry
The spread of Norovirus has significantly affected the oyster industry in South Korea. In 2012, when Norovirus was detected in Korean oysters, exports to the United States were suspended, causing significant damage. A maritime official stated, “Detecting Norovirus in oysters and other seafood can lead to export suspensions and severe regional economic losses. We aim to block marine environmental risk factors through inspections preemptively.”
What are the precautions when eating oysters?
When eating oysters, accompanying them with lemon can aid in the intake of minerals like iron. If raw oysters are not preferred, steaming or frying them into dishes like oyster pancakes is a good alternative. The protein and minerals in oysters are preserved even when cooked and transform into a form easily digested and absorbed by the body. However, due to the characteristics of seafood, there is a possibility of spoilage, toxic substances, or bacterial contamination, so patients with weak intestinal immunity should eat them cooked rather than raw to prevent food poisoning.
What are the side effects of oysters?
Oysters contain zinc, iron, copper, glycogen, taurine, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients within safe consumption limits. The zinc intake is limited, but the amount of zinc in one oyster is not much of a problem, so no issue within the range can be eaten. However, caution is needed when eating raw oysters. The food of oysters is plankton, which carries a small amount of toxins. The toxins in oysters are fine in small amounts, but if the daily intake exceeds, side effects such as diarrhea can occur.
4 Benefits of Oysters
1. Detoxification of the Body
Oysters are rich in calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin B, and taurine, which help boost immunity and recover energy. They are low in calories, high in protein (about 10%, three times more than milk), and rich in minerals and vitamins. It is also an alkaline food rich in minerals and vitamins and has the effect of breaking down and excreting toxins in the body.
2. Effective for Reproductive Health and Diabetes
Oysters are known as the food with the fastest calcium absorption, creating an alkaline physique and purifying the blood. Calcium is difficult to supplement even with medicine, so eating oysters for calcium intake is good. Oysters are also good for vitality, as much as Casanova enjoyed eating them. Oysters also contain a lot of zinc, which is effective for men’s reproductive health and diabetes.
3. Prevention of Dementia and Obesity
Oysters contain more than twice the amount of DHA found in tuna. DHA has anti-cancer properties and helps lower blood cholesterol. The EPA component lowers neutral fat in the blood and effectively prevents adult diseases such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis.
4. Prevention of Dementia and Obesity
Oysters contain taurine, DHA, and vitamins that inhibit beta-amyloid, a brain protein linked to dementia, helping prevent the condition. As a representative white food beneficial for colon health, oysters are rich in selenium, which inhibits colon cancer cells and helps prevent obesity.
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