Porridge is actually a great food, suitable for consumption all year round, but it is even more beneficial to eat in the winter. There are even articles specifically written about porridge, titled "Why Porridge is a Superfood," which speaks to its many benefits. Having a bowl of porridge for health maintenance in the winter is also a source of great happiness. So, how is porridge actually made? And what are the health benefits of different types of porridge?
The history of eating porridge in China is long and can be traced back to ancient texts. The "Book of Zhou" mentions that since the time of the Yellow Emperor, people began to "cook grain into porridge." And scholars throughout the dynasties have held a special affection for porridge.
Eating porridge this way is more effective than taking tonics.
Compared to other foods, porridge has distinct advantages: it is simple to make, nourishing, easy to digest, and good for the stomach and intestines. Furthermore, since grains, meat, and vegetables can all be added to porridge, it is flavorful and nutritionally rich.
Experts note that historical examples of people living long lives thanks to eating porridge are common. In the Southern Song Dynasty, Lu You, in his seventies, not only had strong and healthy teeth but also sharp hearing and clear eyesight, and ultimately lived to be 85要知道，古代人的平均年龄是很低的。要知道，古代人的平均年龄是很低的。要知道，古代人的平均年龄是很低的。要知道， ancient people's average life expectancy was very low. Lu You viewed porridge as a wonderful health food throughout his life. In his poem "Eating Porridge," he wrote: "Everyone in the world seeks longevity, but they fail to see that it is right before their eyes. I have learned the simple method from Wanqiu, and by only eating porridge, I have attained the state of the immortals."
The preference for porridge in Traditional Chinese Medicine is reflected in many formulas for preventing and treating diseases. In "Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases" by the medical sage Zhang Zhongjing, polished rice is a commonly used "herb." Zhang Zhongjing would have patients take their medicine and then drink hot porridge to induce sweating and promote the medicinal effects. He emphasized using "congee for recuperation," which has a positive effect on the prognosis of diseases and the care of weak patients. There are also many records of medicinal porridge in Sun Simiao's "Essential Formulas for Emergencies Worth a Thousand Gold," where in the chapter "Dietary Therapy," it is stated that polished rice can "nourish the stomach's qi and build muscle."
Rice Porridge
Rice porridge has a relatively balanced effect on nourishing the five organs and is suitable for most people. Glutinous rice, as a type of rice, contains more mucilage and has a better effect of replenishing qi.
Porridge
Research has confirmed that in addition to carbohydrates, protein, fat, and carotene, corn also contains riboflavin, calcium, magnesium, selenium, and various vitamins, which helps prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia.
Sweet Potato Porridge
Sweet potatoes can nourish the stomach and spleen, and prevent constipation. People with weak digestive systems are suitable for adding sweet potatoes to their porridge.
Oatmeal Porridge
Sticking to drinking oatmeal porridge can help lower "bad" cholesterol levels and prevent hyperlipidemia. Harvard University research has proven that eating a small bowl of coarse grain porridge daily, such as oatmeal, can extend one's life.
Experts emphasize that while porridge is mainly based on grains, it should not be limited to them. It should also be paired with beans, vegetables, and meat to increase nutritional value, and a reasonable combination of ingredients can enhance its health benefits. Zhou Yingchun recommends that in addition to grains, adding red beans, red dates, lotus seeds, and longan can enhance the effect of nourishing the heart and enriching the blood; adding soybeans, Chinese yam, hawthorn, and white beans is beneficial for strengthening the spleen and stomach; while mung beans and goji berries can increase the liver-nourishing and liver-protecting effects.