In winter, many women experience a particular sensitivity to cold, which is related to the body's insufficient intake of certain minerals. For instance, an iron deficiency in the blood often manifests as low heat production and low body temperature. The level of calcium in the body directly affects the contractility and excitability of the heart muscle, blood vessels, and muscles. Therefore, consuming foods rich in iron and calcium can enhance the body's ability to withstand the cold. As the weather gets colder, eating seaweed regularly can help fight off the cold.
Every 100 grams of seaweed contains as much as 1177 milligrams of calcium and 150 milligrams of iron, making it a treasure trove for humans to obtain these nutrients. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the sea is considered yin, cold, and cool, and the seaweed that grows in it possesses a powerful natural ability to resist the cold. Seaweed has a salty flavor, and long-term consumption can also help to warm and tonify the kidney qi. Thus, eating seaweed can increase the body's resistance to cold.
Crispy Pork Belly with Seaweed
Women who are sensitive to cold should consume seaweed regularly because the iodine in it can stimulate the pituitary gland, correct endocrine imbalances in women, and reduce the incidence of hyperplasia of the mammary glands. Iodine is an essential element for the synthesis of thyroxine. Some women's sensitivity to cold may be due to low thyroid activity or concurrent iron-deficiency anemia. Since seaweed is rich in iron, which can correct anemia, eating more of it can help alleviate these symptoms.
Seaweed is considered cold in nature, so it should be avoided by individuals with a weak spleen and stomach. Patients with hyperthyroidism should not eat seaweed. People with gastrointestinal diseases, especially gastric and duodenal ulcers, should also avoid it. Individuals with severe acne or allergies are also advised against consuming seaweed. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not eat excessive amounts of seaweed, as the iodine in it can enter the fetus's or infant's body through the bloodstream, potentially causing thyroid dysfunction.