Many health and nutrition experts suggest that consuming more "bitter" foods is highly beneficial for human health.
1. Correcting the imbalance of the five flavors: When people consume the five flavors of spicy, sweet, bitter, sour, and salty through food, their intake is generally balanced. However, excessive consumption of salty and sweet foods has led to many diseases, causing poor physical condition and a weakened immune system. To correct this imbalance, one should consume more bitter foods.
2. Bitter flavors can stimulate appetite: In summer, many people may experience a loss of appetite. Bitter flavors can stimulate the taste buds on the tongue, activate the taste nerves, and also stimulate the salivary glands to increase saliva secretion. They can also stimulate the secretion of gastric juice and bile. The combination of these effects enhances appetite, promotes digestion, and is beneficial for strengthening the body and improving immunity.
3. Bitter flavors can clear the mind and invigorate the brain: Bitter foods contain certain theobromine and caffeine, which can refresh the mind, creating a feeling of comfort and relaxation. This helps people unwind from the mental state of summer heat and irritability, thereby restoring energy. Traditional Chinese Medicine also believes that bitter foods can relieve vexation and heat from the heart, have a "clearing the heart" effect, sharpen the mind, and allow the brain to function better.
4. Bitter flavors can expel heat and detoxify: Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that the bitter flavor is yin in nature and has a dredging and draining effect. It can expel heat and calm the spirit for irritability caused by excessive internal heat. Expelling heat and promoting bowel movements not only reduces fever but also helps expel toxins from the body through urine and feces, preventing children from developing boils and suffering from other illnesses.
5. Bitter flavors can promote hematopoietic function: Bitter foods can maintain a normal balance of bacteria in the intestines. This function of inhibiting harmful bacteria and helping beneficial ones aids intestinal function, particularly the hematopoietic function of the intestines and bone marrow, thus improving anemia.
6. Bitter foods can prevent and fight cancer: Scientific research has discovered that bitter foods are rich in Vitamin B17, which has a powerful ability to kill cancer cells.