Oyster shell is the hard covering of oysters. It is made up of calcium carbonate, which helps protect the oysters. While most people toss the shell away and consume just the flesh inside, you may wonder if you can eat oyster shells as well.
Can You Eat Oyster Shell?
Yes, you can eat oyster shells. It can by itself as a snack, but it is more often added to other foods. It is most commonly used in baked goods such as bread, cakes, and cookies. It adds nutrients to these foods as well as gives them an appealing texture.
Are There Any Risks To Eating Oyster Shell?
Oyster shell is a great source of calcium and other minerals, but there are some potential risks associated with eating too much. While they may not be as harmful as you think, it’s still important to keep an eye on your intake and make sure that you’re getting enough nutrients from other sources.
The biggest risk associated with eating too much oyster shell is that you’ll become deficient in other nutrients. Calcium is needed for bone health, but it’s only one part of the puzzle. Other minerals such as magnesium and potassium are also important for bone health, so if you don’t get enough from your diet then you could experience problems down the road.
Eating too much calcium from oyster shells can also lead to kidney stones and constipation. This is because your body can’t absorb all of the calcium at once — only about 30% — so any extra gets stored in your kidneys or intestines until it can be used up by your body.
If you eat more than what your body needs then these excess amounts will build up in these places until they become large enough to cause problems like kidney stones or constipation.
Benefits of Eating Oyster Shell
Oyster shell is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. It is also rich in other minerals like potassium, sodium, and zinc. Oyster shell contains significant amounts of chondroitin sulfate, which helps in reducing joint pain.
A high dietary intake of calcium is associated with increased bone mineral density and decreased risk of fracture in both children and adults. It also helps prevent osteoporosis in women by maintaining their bone mass density when they reach menopause. In addition to its role in maintaining bone density, calcium is essential for normal muscle function and nervous system activity.
Phosphorus plays an essential role in many metabolic processes within the body including protein synthesis and energy production from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Phosphorus is required for the proper functioning of our cells’ membranes, which surround all living cells and help them communicate with each other through chemical signals called neurotransmitters.
Magnesium helps maintain normal levels of blood sugar by facilitating glucose absorption into cells where it can be used as an energy source by the body’s tissues and muscles. Magnesium also plays a role in helping regulate heart rhythm.
What Does Oyster Shell Taste Like?
Oyster shell has a mild taste, similar to that of chalk or limestone. It also has a mineral taste and smell because it’s composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). This substance can be found in many foods and beverages, including cheese, beer, wine, and tea.
The flavor of oyster shells can vary depending on how the shells are processed. If they’re roasted or boiled before being ground into powder, they will have a stronger flavor than if they’re simply dried or baked for a long period of time.
The texture of oyster shells is slightly crunchy when eaten dry but becomes crumbly when wetted with saliva or water.
How To Clean Oyster Shell
Wash the oyster shell in a colander. Rinse it under cold water and let it sit for a few minutes, then dry it with a paper towel.
Then store the shells in an airtight container, such as a jar or plastic bag. You can also store them in your freezer; they won’t lose their flavor if you do so!
How To Eat Oyster Shell
There are several ways you can eat oyster shells. It’s best to cook the egg first and then add the oyster shell for a crunchy texture. You can even use this method to make an omelet or scrambled eggs, just remember not to add too much as it will make them tough and rubbery. You could also just eat them raw like peanuts!
If you want to enjoy your oyster shell on its own, don’t worry; there are plenty of ways for you to do so without having it interfere with your meal plans. For example, my favorite way is making fried rice with some soy sauce and chili paste in it – this gives the oyster shell more flavor and makes each bite feel fresh!
Another option would be adding some salt and pepper before eating it plain out of hand – although this might not be ideal if there’s already something salty in today’s dish (like say…peanut butter).
The oyster shells can also be added to foods like rice and grits to make them extra tasty. This mineral contains many nutrients that are good for you, including calcium and zinc.
Conclusion
Oyster shell is a great source of calcium and other nutrients, so if you’re looking to increase your intake of these important minerals, then you should definitely start including oyster shell in your diet. You can eat them raw by grinding them into a powder or cooking it with a meal until it becomes soft enough that the shells can be chewed up easily. However, before doing this make sure that your oysters have been cleaned properly because otherwise there could still be some sand left inside them!
Kate has been in the food business for over 20 years. Worked as a cook at several buffets which include Old Country Buffet, Five Star Buffet, and Ichiban Buffet. Now, I’m mostly at home cooking for my family, caring for chickens and ducks, and tending the garden.
