News I Just Learned That Raw Oysters Are Still Alive When You Eat Them But actually that's a good thing, unless you want to spend a couple hours by your toilet. By Isadora Baum Isadora Baum Instagram Website Isadora Baum is a freelance writer, certified health coach and published author of three books. After graduating from Northwestern University, she moved to Chicago, where she's lived since. Her writing has been published on Allrecipes.com, LIVESTRONG.com, Well+Good, Women'sHealthMag.com, Men'sHealth.com, Self.com, POPSUGAR, health.com, as well as on CookingLight.com, EatingWell.com, Shape.com, Prevention.com and more. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on December 19, 2019 Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD Instagram Lisa Valente is a registered dietitian and nutrition editor. She studied at the University of Vermont, where she completed her undergraduate studies in nutrition, food science and dietetics, and attended the dietetic internship program at Massachusetts General Hospital to become a registered dietitian. She went on to earn a master's degree in nutrition communication from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. She was a nutrition editor at EatingWell for eight years. Prior to EatingWell, Lisa worked as a research dietitian at Griffin Hospital in Connecticut and also taught cooking and nutrition classes. She was a featured speaker at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) in 2017. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Share Tweet Pin Email You might love slurping on some oysters on a warm day with a glass of white wine in hand. Or perhaps on a first date (they are apparently an "aphrodisiac," after all!). Yet, did you know that those oysters you're eating are actually alive when you put them in your mouth? Because I certainly didn't. And now I can't seem to shake that thought from my mind. They are ALIVE and I am swallowing them. Getty / Carlo A Yet, believe it or not, it's actually a good thing. It turns out oysters must be alive when we are eating them in order to avoid getting sick (which would surely ruin the whole sexy aphrodisiac thing). Why Are Raw Oysters Alive When You Eat Them? "When you slurp back oysters raw, they are still alive or just freshly killed or shucked prior to serving, which is why you oftentimes see them on ice," says Alex Lewis, RD, LDN, a dietitian for Baze. This ensures they are fresh when eating, so they maintain the right flavor profile, texture and nutrient density. This makes them taste better and be better digested, too. "It also ensures food safety," she says. "Dead raw oysters run a greater risk of being infected with viruses and bacteria that can have a negative impact on your health—although the overall risk is relatively low," she says. Low or not, that's why they are in fact alive or freshly killed to keep you safe. Both raw alive and raw dead pose risks though, she says. According to studies, "raw oysters (especially raw dead oysters) can carry some dangerous bacteria (vibrio vulnificus) with side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting," she says. You're at a greater risk of infection when choosing to eat raw oysters, so be extra careful. There are also viruses and other contaminants and pollutants like heavy metals, which can pose a greater risk when choosing raw over cooked, too. She says, "The risk for this type of contamination remains smaller in prevalence than other foodborne illness risks (like salmonella contamination with chicken)," so don't freak out here. Try Our Healthy Oyster Recipes Oyster Buying and Cooking Tips Recipe pictured above: Oysters Rockefeller First off, don't purchase or use uncooked oysters where the shell is already open or damaged, as this means it's likely dead, she says, which is not what you want, as you can get sick. And "don't overcrowd them in a pot as some may remain undercooked," she says, which can lead to contamination from the uneven cooking. Always check to open the shell when cooking too. "If the shell does not open while cooking, it's best to discard the oyster," she says. The Bottom Line Oysters are a great source of nutrients, like zinc and potassium, and they can be an excellent choice at restaurants or at home. They work well in pasta, soups and stews, marinated on the grill and much more. Yet, don't eat them dead. And don't let the thought of them being alive scare you into not eating them anymore! "Ideally, choose cooked oysters or be smart about eating raw oysters (making sure they are alive or freshly killed just prior to eating) and understand that there is some risk there," she says. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit