Winter bamboo shoots: the health code behind the delicious taste

Author: Huang Yanhong Duan Yuechu

In the cold winter, winter bamboo shoots, as a seasonal delicacy, quietly come to people's tables. Its fresh taste and unique flavor are loved by many people. However, do you know that this little winter bamboo shoot can be a health booster, but it can also be a health hazard in some cases?

Crisis caused by winter bamboo shoots

When winter bamboo shoots were first available, Mr. Jiang dug a few from the hill behind his home to try. But in the evening, after eating the bamboo shoots, he felt abdominal pain and discomfort, followed by vomiting and black stools. His family rushed him to the hospital, and when he arrived at the emergency department, Mr. Jiang was already in shock. Fortunately, after the doctor's blood transfusion, he was finally out of danger.

Why did a small winter bamboo shoot almost kill Mr. Jiang? It turned out that Mr. Jiang suffered from liver cirrhosis. Patients with liver cirrhosis usually have gastroesophageal varices, and the blood vessels are as fragile as a filled balloon. Winter bamboo shoots are hard foods. Once eaten, they may cause the "balloon" to burst and cause massive gastrointestinal bleeding. This case warns us that patients with liver cirrhosis must be cautious when eating winter bamboo shoots. Even if they try a small amount, they must chew and chop them thoroughly before eating.

People who need to be cautious when eating winter bamboo shoots

In addition to patients with cirrhosis, there are two other groups of people who should stay away from winter bamboo shoots.

Renal insufficiency

People with renal insufficiency have a weaker ability to regulate potassium and are unable to excrete potassium ions in time. Winter bamboo shoots are high-potassium foods. Eating too much may cause the potassium content in the body to "exceed the standard", thereby inducing hyperkalemia. Severe hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac arrest and even sudden death. Therefore, people with renal insufficiency are advised to eat less or no winter bamboo shoots. If you really want to eat it, you can eat it with foods that have diuretic and potassium excretion effects such as coix seed, winter melon, and bitter melon.

Stone patients

Winter bamboo shoots contain more oxalic acid, which can easily combine with calcium in the urinary tract to form stones during excretion. Therefore, people with kidney stones and gallstones are not recommended to eat more winter bamboo shoots. If you really can't resist the temptation of winter bamboo shoots, remember to blanch them before cooking, so that most of the oxalic acid can be removed, and then it is more appropriate to eat them with meat.

Benefits of eating winter bamboo shoots for healthy people

Although some people are not suitable for eating too much winter bamboo shoots, for healthy people, eating winter bamboo shoots in moderation has many benefits.

Clear away heat and reduce fire

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, winter bamboo shoots are cold in nature and sweet in taste, and have the effects of "benefiting the nine orifices, unblocking blood vessels, resolving phlegm and saliva, and eliminating food accumulation". "Qianjin Yaofang" records: "Bamboo shoots are sweet in taste, slightly cold, non-toxic, and can relieve thirst, promote water flow, and improve energy and strength." Winter bamboo shoots have the effects of promoting body fluid and quenching thirst, clearing away heat and resolving phlegm. They are especially suitable for people who have over-supplemented themselves in winter to reduce internal heat, and can effectively relieve symptoms such as oral ulcers and sore throats.

Helps prevent cancer

Winter bamboo shoots are rich in dietary fiber, which can not only remove fat, promote intestinal peristalsis, and prevent constipation, but also help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. In addition, the polysaccharides contained in winter bamboo shoots may have a certain auxiliary inhibitory effect on the growth of cancer cells.

Control sugar and reduce fat

Winter bamboo shoots are rich in B vitamins, which can nourish nerves, calm the mind, and promote the decomposition and metabolism of three major substances such as fat. Moreover, winter bamboo shoots are low in sugar, fat, and starch. Regular consumption helps control blood sugar and prevent obesity. Therefore, it is also known as the ideal food for "eating one meal to get rid of three days of fat", and is especially suitable for people with high blood sugar and overweight.

Heart protection and blood pressure regulation

For the general population, the high potassium content of winter bamboo shoots is very beneficial to heart health. Adequate potassium can maintain normal heart contraction function and stabilize blood pressure. In winter, a season with a high incidence of cardiovascular diseases, eating winter bamboo shoots appropriately can help protect heart health.

Although winter bamboo shoots are delicious, they are not suitable for everyone. Different people should choose whether to eat them and how much to eat according to their physical condition. While enjoying delicious food, we should also pay attention to our own health at all times, so that every bite of food can become a boost to health rather than a hidden danger. Only in this way can we have a healthy body while satisfying our taste buds and enjoy the beauty of life.