According to Greek Mythology, Aphrodite rose from the sea on an oyster shell, and people have associated oysters with love and happiness ever since. We Continue the tradition and celebrate your own love for oysters at the San Leon Oyster Festival. A fun and festive local event, proceeds from the Oyster Fest go directly toward maintaining the health of the Galveston Bay and the continuing enhancement of the public oyster reefs.
The San Leon Oyster Fest is a non profit 501©3 educational and environmental restoration organization whose mission is to protect, restore and sustain oyster reefs in Galveston Bay, educate the general public on the importance of the ecosystem, protect the oyster industry, and to collaborate with other agencies to achieve our goal.
Oysters typically grow up to an inch per year. This is dependent on salinity and the quality of the water column. In higher salinity areas, oyster will grow faster than in lower salinity areas. In Maryland, legal harvest size is three inches or approximately three years of age
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Tasteoysters,are delicious mollusks that provide the human body with a number of unique nutrients and minerals, which result in great health benefits. These include the ability of oysters to aid in weight loss, boost metabolic activity, increase tissue repair and growth, lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, improve immune functions, aid in wound healing, and promote healthy growth. Furthermore, they are a powerful aphrodisiac, can improve blood circulation, and also increase bone strength to reduce osteoporosis.
The valves in oysters can actually cleanse the entire ecosystem of pollutants and are a major benefit to the environment, however, in recent years, the population of oysters in the world has dropped significantly, resulting in weaker overall ecosystems in the areas where oysters once flourished. This drop in population has been caused by invasive species and general environmental decline. This has made them even more of a delicacy and the price has significantly increased around the world.
Weight Loss oysters represent one of the most nutrient-packed foods with the lowest calories versus the volume of serving size. This means that people trying to lose weight can keep their body packed with the nutrients it needs, without adding too much weight. Compared to an equal serving size of a chicken, oysters have nearly half the calories, and chicken breasts are often turned to for low-calorie, protein-rich meals. Oysters are far superior in this respect, but it must be noted that they do have a high content of sodium.So for people already suffering from obesity, oysters may exacerbate the problem
As an Aphrodisiac,oysters can help boost sexual performance and libido, primarily in men. The zinc content of oysters is nearly unbelievable. They contain more than 1500% of the daily requirements of this essential mineral in a single serving. Zinc has also been closely linked to sexual dysfunction in men, while impotence and erectile dysfunction are closely associated with zinc deficiency. Therefore, eating them can give men their sexual edge back and increase feelings of masculinity
Speed up Healing Oyster has unprecedented levels of zinc, as per the Journal of The American Dietetic Association. This result in a number of health benefits, including quicker wound healing rates and a boosted immune system against various infections and microbes. As an essential mineral, zinc is also important for proper growth and development of children and adults, as well as the maintenance of bodily function for people of all ages.
Increase Blood Circulation are also a very impressive source of iron, says Dr. Ralph G. Smith, ex-professor at the University of Michigan in his study. They contribute to more than 90% of our daily requirements in each serving. Iron is a key component in the formation of red blood cells in the body and is the primary defense against anemia, also known as iron deficiency, which can lead to fatigue, cognitive malfunction, stomach disorders, and general muscle weakness. Also, with a fresh supply of healthy blood cells in the circulatory system, organ systems have high levels of oxygenated blood to stimulate their activity, making them function efficiently and boosting the overall metabolic rate of the body.
Protein Content Proteins are an essential part of our diet, and oysters are a very strong source. Proteins are often broken down by the body’s enzymatic activity and then reconstructed into usable human proteins in every part of the body. This ensures proper metabolic activity, tissue repair, cellular growth, muscle strength, and a wide variety of necessary aspects of human health. The importance of protein in the diet cannot be overstated, and a single serving of oysters provides nearly 1/3 of the daily requirement.
Protect Heart Health oysters can positively impact heart health in a variety of ways, but primarily the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids versus omega-6 fatty acids are what impact the cholesterol so greatly. Omega-3 fatty acids are known as “good” forms of cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), and the high ratio of “good” to “bad” (LDL cholesterol) (omega-6 fatty acids) makes them a major player in heart health. They can reduce the content of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream and inhibit it from binding to the blood vessels and artery walls. In this way, the chances of plaque accumulation are minimized and a variety of health complications, including cardiovascular diseases, says Dr. William S. Harris, Metabolism and Nutrition Research Center, University of South Dakota. Furthermore, the high potassium and magnesium content of oysters can help lower blood pressure and relax the blood vessels, thereby increasing circulation and oxygenation of the blood and reducing strain on the cardiovascular system as a whole. Finally, vitamin E in oysters increases the strength and flexibility of cellular membranes, which is the third level of protection against dangerous heart diseases.