Honey is a nourishing food that we often eat in our daily life. It contains many nutrients and has certain medicinal value, which can enhance the body's resistance, fight fatigue, and eliminate indigestion. As people age, they often experience constipation, and at this time, they can drink some honey water to cleanse the intestines and moisten the bowels. However, there are taboos for the elderly when consuming honey. The editor will now introduce them in detail:
1. Honey cannot be eaten with tofu
Tofu is sweet, salty, and cold in nature, and can clear heat and disperse blood. Eating it with honey can easily lead to diarrhea. At the same time, the various enzymes in honey, combined with the plant protein, various minerals, and organic acids in tofu, are not conducive to the body's biochemical reactions when consumed together.
2. Honey should not be used to make soy milk
Soy milk has a higher protein content than milk, while honey is mainly composed of about 75% glucose and fructose, with a small amount of organic acids. When mixed, the organic acids bind with the proteins to form denatured precipitates that cannot be absorbed by the body. The correct way to consume honey is to dissolve it in warm water at 40°C to 50°C.
3. Honey cannot be eaten with chives
Chives are rich in vitamin C, which can be easily oxidized by minerals like copper and iron in honey, losing their effectiveness. In addition, honey promotes bowel movements, and chives are rich in fiber and have a laxative effect, so eating them together can easily cause diarrhea.
4. Honey should not be brewed with boiling water
Honey is rich in enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. If brewed with boiling water, it cannot maintain its natural color, aroma, and flavor, and its nutritional value will be destroyed to varying degrees. Therefore, it is best to brew it with warm water not exceeding 35°C.
5. Avoid contact with metal objects during storage
Honey is acidic. When storing it, do not use metal containers to avoid chemical reactions. Furthermore, crystallization of honey is a normal phenomenon and is not related to its quality. After use, the container should be kept sealed, as honey is highly hygroscopic and absorbent of odors. Avoid moisture and foreign smells from entering, as this can cause the honey to ferment and spoil. The storage temperature should not be too high to prevent the destruction of its nutritional components.
6. Honey cannot be eaten with green onions
The nutritional components of honey are relatively complex. When eaten with green onions, the organic acids and enzymes in honey can react with the sulfur-containing amino acids in green onions, causing harmful biochemical reactions or producing toxic substances that irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to diarrhea.
In addition, the elderly may be confused about when to take honey. Traditional Chinese medicine experts point out the ancient saying "salt in the morning, honey at night," which refers to drinking a glass of honey water before bedtime to improve sleep and calm the mind.