Another wave of "cold snap" is here, and the saying "Lesser Cold and Greater Cold, cold as a ball" indicates that the Greater Cold solar term is also the coldest period of the year. After the Greater Cold, we need to keep ourselves warm.
Foods rich in vitamins
Low temperatures can accelerate the metabolism of vitamins in the body, so they should be replenished in a timely manner through diet. For example, vitamin A can enhance the body's cold tolerance; vitamin C can improve the body's adaptation to cold. Therefore, in winter, the intake of foods rich in vitamin A, such as animal liver, carrots, and pumpkin, as well as foods rich in vitamin C, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, should be appropriately increased.
Foods rich in iodine
The human thyroid gland secretes a hormone called thyroxine, which has a heat-producing effect. Thyroxine is composed of iodine and tyrosine, while tyrosine can be synthesized by the body, iodine must rely on external sources. Therefore, in winter, it is advisable to eat more iodine-rich foods such as kelp, seaweed, and shellfish.
Foods rich in iron
Studies have shown that many women's fear of cold in winter is related to iron deficiency in the body. Therefore, women who are sensitive to cold can appropriately increase their intake of iron-rich foods, such as animal blood and liver. The iron in animal foods is heme iron, which has a higher absorption rate by the human body after ingestion. Animal blood, in particular, can have an iron absorption rate of over 22%. Plant-based foods like wood ear mushrooms, kelp, and sesame, although also high in iron, have a lower absorption rate, mostly around 10%.
Warm-natured foods
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, foods like lamb, dog meat, longan, chives, walnuts, and millet have the effect of warming the yang and replenishing qi. Eating more of them in moderation can improve the body's ability to resist cold. Conversely, it is best to eat less of cool or cold-natured foods such as duck, crab, banana, cucumber, pear, mung beans, watermelon, and rock sugar.
Three Winters
The "Three Winters" refer to winter melon, winter jujube, and winter sugarcane. Among them, winter melon is rich in dietary fiber, which can help lower blood sugar, reduce cholesterol in the body, lower blood lipids, and prevent atherosclerosis. Winter melon is high in potassium salt and low in sodium salt, making it a good dietary choice for patients with hypertension.
Winter jujube is extremely nutritious, containing 19 essential amino acids for the human body such as aspartic acid, threonine, and serine. It is particularly rich in vitamin C, which can improve the body's immunity and prevent colds. In addition, it is also rich in carbohydrates and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which can reduce the damage of various chemical drugs to the liver and effectively protect it.
Sugarcane can nourish the blood and moisten dryness. It not only refreshes the mind but also clears heat, promotes qi downward, and nourishes the lungs and stomach. Sugarcane contains a large amount of essential trace elements for the human body such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc, with a particularly high iron content, earning it the reputation of "blood-enriching fruit". After winter, many office workers often feel dizzy, drowsy, and have a decreased reaction ability. At this time, eating some sugarcane is very beneficial.