The Betrayal of Oysters Known as 'Natural Aphrodisiac'... "Consumption Leads to Reduced Reproductive Function"

Zinc-Rich to Support Smooth Male Hormone Secretion
11,220 Glass Fibers Detected per 1kg
Side Effects Include Reduced Digestive Ability and Inflammation

Oysters, which are rich in beneficial nutrients and are even called the "milk of the sea" due to their high demand, have recently become controversial as studies reveal that they contain not only useful minerals and vitamins but also abundant "glass fiber particles."

[Photo by Pixabay]

On the 9th (local time), the New York Post (NYP) reported that Corina Ciocan, a senior lecturer in marine biology at the University of Brighton, published a paper containing these findings on the 5th in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. This is the first time that glass fibers or glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) particles have been found in the ecosystem's food chain.

The joint research team from the University of Brighton and the University of Portsmouth has been collecting edible marine life samples from Chichester Harbor on the southern coast of the UK for a long-term study. As a result, 11,220 glass fiber particles were found per 1 kg of oysters. Mussels also contained 2,740 particles per 1 kg. These results are presumed to be due to shellfish such as oysters, mussels, and clams mistaking glass fibers for food and ingesting large amounts.

Glass fiber is a synthetic fiber made from glass. It is produced by stretching molten glass at high speed or blowing it with high-pressure air, and it has excellent heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and moisture resistance. It is used as insulation, soundproofing, insulation material, filtration material, and optical communication materials. When mixed with polyester resin, it becomes GRP, which is commonly used in daily life. GRP is actively used in household items such as fabric softeners, fishing rods, and umbrellas.

Glass fibers can generate fine fiber particles that may be harmful to health during transportation and processing. The research team expressed concerns that ingesting glass fibers could lead to lung diseases or increased cancer rates, affect digestive ability, and increase the likelihood of inflammation. They also added that reproductive functions could even decline.

The researchers emphasized, "This study shows how worryingly contaminated marine life is with glass fiber reinforced plastic," adding, "Once fibers enter the soft flesh, they cannot be expelled, causing inflammation and other complications, which in severe cases can lead to death."