Grim reality of what actually happens when you eat an oyster might make you think twice about trying it

There is a whole bunch of food out there that people either absolutely love or hate beyond words.

From Marmite and blue cheese to pineapple on pizza and, of course, coriander - it's clear we all have very different palates when it comes to what we put in our gob.

It also seems that seafood is one of the most debated food categories and now a chef has fuelled the discourse even further after revealing the grim reality of what actually happens when you eat an oyster which might make you think twice about trying it.

Anyone partial to an oyster or two, you've been warned. (Oscar Wong / Getty Images)

Now, judge me if you want, but I absolutely love the salty, slimy stuff but even I (a self-proclaimed oyster fanatic) was turned off by the delicacy after finding this far from fun fact out about them.

It all started when chef Joseph DeCandia Jr, the owner of Lenny’s Clam Bar and Restaurant, took to TikTok to enlighten the internet about the truth behind the shellfish - they're actually alive when you eat them.

"Is it true that when you eat oysters they are alive?" he was asked before responding: "Of course! When you open them up fresh, they are alive."

As if it couldn't get any worse, Joseph added: "Most times, if you squeeze lemon on those now, you'll see the motherf**ker jiggle and move."

What a lovely mental image!

Not many people knew that oysters are alive when you eat them. (wilatlak villette / Getty Images)

Unsurprisingly, viewers who were unaware of the fact were sent into a total spiral upon hearing the news, with one TikTok user writing: "I did not need to know or see this."

"I was today years old, and I promise you, I wish I never learned this," echoed a second, while a third admitted: "I've been chugging down oysters my whole life. I didn't know they were still alive."

And a final TikTok user confessed: "I never ate oysters before & now that I know they're still alive I'll never try them."

According to mobile oyster shucking service, Oysters XO, the shellfish has to be alive in order for it be safe and not give us food poisoning.

Its website states: "Oysters are still alive as you eat them! In fact, if you are going to eat an oyster raw, it has to be alive or else it will no longer be safe to eat.

"In the case of oysters, alive means fresh! Trust us, you only want to be eating oysters that are alive."

Oysters XO adds: "Oysters taste the best when they are eaten immediately after being shucked, this we know.

"Fresh and full of flavour is what we all want! In the case of oysters, fresh translates to mean still alive.

"An oyster that has been sitting around open will not have that amazing taste you are looking for as the oyster begins to deteriorate once it has been shucked."

The more you know - eh?

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