In recent years, research has proven that many popular snacks on the market are often unhealthy to eat regularly and are even considered "junk food." Consequently, savvy merchants, drawing on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principle of "medicine and food sharing the same origin," have quickly launched a series of so-called "Chinese herbal snacks." These snacks are said to satisfy cravings while providing nourishment, making them extremely hot-selling products in the market, especially around the Spring Festival. However, experts point out that since they contain "medicinal" ingredients, they cannot be eaten indiscriminately or in large quantities. Only when consumed correctly can they be beneficial to health and provide a nourishing effect.
1. Gu Yuan Gao (Black Sesame & Donkey-hide Gelatin Paste)
Contains various Chinese herbs such as donkey-hide gelatin, black sesame, red dates, walnut kernels, longan flesh rock sugar, and yellow wine. Among these, donkey-hide gelatin and red dates can nourish the blood, while black sesame and walnut kernels can tonify the kidneys, and rock sugar can moisten dryness.
It is not suitable for individuals with poor spleen and stomach function, women with a "cold uterus" (uterine coldness), or children with a weak spleen and stomach. Moreover, do not believe the advertisements and consume it continuously for 1-2 months. While Gu Yuan Gao is beneficial, its ingredients are very rich and heavy. Prolonged consumption can lead to side effects; for example, people with poor gastrointestinal function may experience bloating or diarrhea after eating. Gout patients may find it triggers a gout attack or worsens their symptoms.
2. Fu Ling Bing (Poria Biscuits)
Our country has records of making Poria biscuits as early as the Southern Song Dynasty: "Four liang of Poria, two liang of white flour, mixed with water to make a cake, and fried熟 with yellow wax." The modern production process has been improved, making them round as the full moon, thin as paper, and white as snow, exquisite, beautiful, sweet, and fragrant with a unique flavor. Poria biscuits promote urination to drain dampness, strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach, and also calm the heart and tranquilize the mind. They help improve the body's own immunity and prevent colds. Due to its diuretic effect, Poria also has certain dietary therapeutic value for symptoms like edema in the limbs and difficult urination. Currently, many commercially available Poria biscuits are overly sweet, often containing added ingredients like honey and white sugar. Because of their high sugar content, people with high blood sugar should eat them sparingly or not at all, and those with indigestion should not eat them in large quantities.
3. Hawthorn Foods (Hawthorn slices, fruit leather, hawthorn cake, red fruit sauce, etc.)
This product contains various vitamins, tartaric acid, citric acid, hawthorn acid, malic acid, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron. The lipase it contains can promote the digestion of fatty foods. It also functions to promote gastric juice secretion and increase gastric enzymes. Hawthorn contains terpenes and flavonoids, which have a significant effect on dilating blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, hawthorn is believed to resolve food stagnation, stop diarrhea with its astringent properties, invigorate blood, and dispel stasis. It is primarily indicated for symptoms such as food accumulation, fullness in the chest and diaphragm, hernia, blood stasis, and amenorrhea.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that hawthorn only "dispels" and does not "nourish," so it should not be eaten in large quantities by those with a weak spleen and stomach. Even healthy people should consume hawthorn in moderation, especially children who are in a period of tooth replacement. Prolonged overconsumption of hawthorn, slices, or cakes can be detrimental to tooth development. Furthermore, hawthorn slices and fruit leather contain a large amount of sugar. Excessive consumption by children can keep blood sugar at a high level, leading to a lack of appetite, which can, over the long term, result in malnutrition and anemia. Diabetics should not consume these products but can eat fresh hawthorn fruit in moderation. After eating, one should rinse the mouth and brush teeth promptly to prevent dental damage. Additionally, hawthorn has the effect of breaking blood and dispelling stasis, which can accelerate uterine contractions. Excessive consumption by pregnant women can easily lead to miscarriage. For patients with gastric ulcers, the stomach often maintains a high level of acidity, which damages the gastric mucosa. Consuming hawthorn products is not conducive to ulcer healing. Because hawthorn lowers blood lipids, people with very low blood lipids should not eat too much of it, as it can affect their health. When taking tonifying products like ginseng, one should not eat hawthorn or its products, as this can counteract the qi-tonifying effects of ginseng.