As winter approaches and temperatures gradually drop, hotpot has quietly regained popularity among citizens, attracting numerous food lovers. Recently, many hospitals in Shanghai have reported a significant number of patients suffering from "internal heat" due to frequent consumption of spicy hotpot. Medical experts remind the public that besides the risk of "internal heat," frequent hotpot consumption also poses hidden dangers of hepatitis A and gout. At the same time, it is crucial to ensure strict hygiene standards when eating hotpot. Consumers should choose regular establishments with good sanitary conditions to guarantee food safety.
"Malatang" Most Likely to Harm the Digestive System
Every afternoon at 4 p.m., Mr. Shi, a general manager of a company working on Nanjing East Road, enjoys having "hotpot afternoon tea" with friends at a nearby restaurant. When the split pot arrives and a dozen dishes are added one by one, Mr. Shi considers it an extraordinary experience. He particularly enjoys the feeling of sweating profusely from the spiciness, which he feels washes away the fatigue of a long workday.
Journalists have learned that recently, starting from noon, popular hotpot restaurants have been bustling at all hours. Hotpot enthusiasts like Mr. Shi are a common sight. However, many patients seen in outpatient clinics with esophagitis, gastritis, diarrhea, nosebleeds, and hemorrhoids are often among these spicy food lovers. Professor Li Gang, an internal medicine physician at Shanghai Shuguang Hospital, warns against prioritizing oral pleasure while subjecting the stomach to distress. Therefore, when eating hotpot, the flavor should be kept mildly spicy, and one should avoid eating too much at once. Drinking milk or other beverages during the meal can protect the stomach lining, and drinking plenty of water or strong tea afterwards can help reduce irritation to the digestive system.
Undercooked Meat May Lead to Hepatitis A Infection
Many citizens who love hotpot believe that its wide variety of dishes is nutritious and ensures the body's comprehensive absorption of trace elements and minerals. Many enthusiasts also prefer tender meats, often eating food after just a quick dip in the hotpot. In fact, this eating habit can lead to infections. For example, eating undercooked seafood like shellfish, oysters, and snails can lead to a hepatitis A virus infection. Virology experts reveal that hepatitis A virus can survive for 12 months at 60°C and requires 5 minutes of heating at 100°C to be killed.
Experts warn that three types of parasites—*Trichinella*, tapeworms, and cysticerci—can be transmitted through hotpot. Therefore, those who prefer their meat undercooked should pay attention to the cleanliness of the meat. For safety, it is best to cook meat slices for a longer time in the pot. Also, check the meat for any white, rice-like granules, which could be cysticerci eggs.
The health department has also issued consumer advisories regarding hotpot. It is recommended that meat slices for hotpot should be as thin as possible, and items like tripe or aorta that are unnaturally white in color should not be consumed.
Be Wary of Gout with Numbness and Pain in Toes
Recently, Ms. Li went for a seafood hotpot meal with friends. The next morning, she woke up with excruciating pain in her big toe that was so severe she couldn't get out of bed. A hospital visit revealed she was having a gout attack. Professor Zhang Daifu, Director of the Cardiology Department at Dongfang Hospital, pointed out that for individuals with high uric acid levels like Ms. Li, dietary precautions are essential to prevent gout attacks.
According to Professor Zhang, the mechanism of gout is an excessively high level of uric acid in the blood. Hotpot meals are typically rich in meat, which contains high levels of purines. After being absorbed by the body, purines enter the bloodstream and, through metabolism, produce excessive uric acid. This uric acid cannot be fully excreted through urine and thus forms urate crystals that deposit in tissues like joints, causing pain and other symptoms. Gout can heal on its own, so those who have had it need not be overly anxious, as long as they pay attention to their diet. Additionally, individuals with a history of gout should avoid overexertion.