Are Oysters and Mussels Vegan?

Oysters and mussels are mollusks that live underwater. They are popular seafood delicacies and are eaten worldwide. People sometimes even include oysters and mussels in plant-based diets, presuming that they aren’t conscious or sentient. Still, are oysters vegan?

Oysters and mussels are shellfish: more specifically, bivalve mollusks. Other bivalve mollusks include scallops and clams. They live underwater. They don’t have a spinal cord (or other bones), which makes them invertebrates. They have long, flat bodies and live inside a shell with two hinged parts, which is why they’re called bivalves. They have gills they use to filter their food and water.

They take in the surrounding water through tiny organs called cilia on their gills. The cilia filter organic material like plankton from the water. They consume organic material for nutrition and release the water back into their surroundings. Oysters and mussels help remove excess organic particles from the water and help protect the marine or freshwater ecosystem. 

Oysters and mussels are eaten worldwide because they are versatile, delicious, and nutritious. They are quick and easy to prepare and are often served raw. They are also used to make pearls.

Shellfish like oysters and mussels are rich in protein and have low levels of calories, fat, and cholesterol. A medium-sized oyster weighing 25 grams contains the following nutrients:

• 16 grams of water
• 40.8 calories
• 4.72 grams of protein
• 1.15 grams of fat
• 2.48 grams of carbohydrates
• 0 grams of fiber
• 4 milligrams of calcium
• 2.3 milligrams of iron
• 11 milligrams of magnesium
• 60.8 milligrams of phosphorus
• 75.5 milligrams of potassium
• 53 milligrams of sodium

Oysters are also a great source of vitamins and minerals. They have essential minerals like zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese, in addition to vitamins like vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Oysters and mussels are also rich sources of good fats like omega-3 fatty acids. They promote heart health, immunity, and brain development.

People formerly believed that oysters and mussels don’t have a central nervous system. They assumed that shellfish don’t have consciousness like other animals and may not feel pain. However, research has been conducted on the nature of consciousness and sentience in shellfish, and different conclusions have been reached.

Researchers in Russia studied the development of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Their study revealed that oysters have nervous systems, which may even react to potentially harmful particles.

The presence of a nervous system doesn’t confirm whether oysters can feel pain or suffering like other animals. Still, they have developed responses to adapt to their environment and avoid danger. This is an evolutionary response that protects the oyster from trouble and increases its chances of survival and reproduction, so there is a high possibility that oysters and mussels may sense pain at a basic level.

Oysters and mussels typically react to danger by closing their shell, though it is difficult to tell how consciously aware they are of that danger. Oysters and mussels are often eaten raw or alive. Some people also boil or steam them alive to open the shell. Considering that they have an elementary nervous system and may feel sensations, people are faced with ethical questions about eating them.

The basic principle of veganism is to avoid consuming animals or animal products. Oysters are living sea animals, so they are not vegan. Pearls derived from oysters are also not vegan because they are animal products. 

Some vegans and vegetarians include oysters or mussels in their diet anyway, though, as they are a great source of nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids. Another reason they eat shellfish is that it was believed that oysters and mussels don’t have a central nervous system and can’t feel pain. Shellfish were considered to be unfeeling and unconscious, which made them ethically fine to eat. 

Vegans who eat shellfish like oysters and mussels are called ostrovegans or seagans. They identify as vegans but still eat seafood. They typically eat shellfish like clams, mussels, and oysters out of appreciation for their taste and nutrition.

Recently, research has proven that oysters and mussels do, in fact, have a nervous system. Still, it is not as advanced as that of most other animals. Scientists currently aren’t 100% certain about whether they can feel pain, but since they may have sentience, after all, they should not be consumed by strict vegans.

Most vegans consume only plant-based products. They don’t use animal products or by-products, including dairy products, eggs, fur, leather, honey, silk, wool, or other animal-derived products.

People may choose to be vegan for the following reasons:

• Ethical reasons. The production of meat and dairy frequently involves animal cruelty. Continuing to eat eggs, dairy, and meat promotes the animal industry. Often, the living conditions for the animals at factory farms are inhumane. Some animals are kept in small cages in unhygienic conditions. They are also separated from their young ones and slaughtered for meat. Many vegans stand for animal welfare and compassion and avoid eating animal products to end animal cruelty.
• Health reasons. Excess meat and dairy consumption are associated with an increased risk of heart problems, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Meat and dairy don’t generally contain any fiber and are rich in fat, which can make them unhealthy for you. Also, animals kept in unhygienic conditions can spread illness to humans.
• Environmental reasons. The animal industry generates large amounts of greenhouse gasses and toxic waste, which can cause air, land, and water pollution. Meat, dairy, and animal products indirectly require a lot of water and resources, which can be harmful to the environment.

While avoiding animal products, many vegans still eat a healthy diet, including fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and legumes. Instead of dairy, they consume nut- and plant-based milk.

Seafood like oysters or mussels is not vegan. If you’re vegan or are considering switching to a plant-based diet, you can include plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids instead of shellfish. Foods like tofu, canola oil, flaxseed and flaxseed oil, soybeans, and walnuts can be great alternatives.