A report from American researchers points out that eight "miracle medicines" have appeared on our daily dining tables, including common fruits like bananas, as well as kitchen staples like garlic and cabbage. Experts note that some foods not only provide rich nutrition but can also help alleviate physical discomfort.
1. Banana: Relieves stress and anxiety
Commentary: Research has found that people with insomnia lack tryptophan, an amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin. Bananas contain tryptophan and Vitamin B6; a medium-sized banana can provide 30% of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin B6. These two nutrients are important components in synthesizing serotonin, which has analgesic, sedative, and calming effects.
2. Yogurt: Prevents bloating
Commentary: A cup of probiotic yogurt can help food enter the intestines more effectively, not only accelerating gastrointestinal motility but also aiding in digesting gas-inducing foods like beans. However, consuming too much yogurt containing sweeteners can反而 cause bloating. This is mainly because artificial sweeteners can lead to indigestion in some people, especially sorbitol found in many sugar-free fruits and gums, which can cause gas and diarrhea.
3. Tuna: Improves a bad mood
Commentary: A 90-gram can of tuna contains about 800 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids, which can alleviate the low mood and anxiety caused by depression. In addition to tuna, walnuts also contain this substance, and walnuts are more accessible for daily consumption than tuna. Furthermore, nut foods like walnuts are good for brain health.
4. Ginger tea: Treats nausea
Commentary: Numerous studies abroad have shown that ginger tea can relieve nausea caused by motion sickness or pregnancy, although the specific active substance is not yet clear. In ancient Chinese medicine, ginger was believed to be pungent and warm in nature, effective at expelling wind-cold, resolving phlegm, and stopping cough. It also warms the middle jiao to stop vomiting and has detoxifying properties, and is clinically used to treat conditions like common cold due to wind-cold and vomiting due to stomach cold.
Ginger can treat the following types of vomiting:
Treating cold-type vomiting: For example, if you wake up in the morning feeling cold all over with nausea and vomiting, you can hold a slice of fresh ginger in your mouth to quickly stop the vomiting.
Treating heat-type vomiting: In the summer, if you overeat, food gets stuck in your stomach undigested, you have bad breath, and even mouth sores, ginger can also be used to regulate this.
Treating dry heaving: If you are heaving without bringing anything up, and your hands and feet feel cold, you can use 20 grams of ginger with 10 grams of dried tangerine peel to make a decoction. Taking one or two doses can relieve dry heaving.
5. Cabbage: Prevents ulcers
Commentary: Research from Johns Hopkins University has found that cabbage contains a powerful compound called sulforaphane, which can eliminate the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers and even inhibit the growth of stomach tumors. In addition to stomach ulcers, foods like cabbage can also help in the treatment of mouth ulcers.
6. Potato: Treats headaches
Commentary: A medium-sized potato contains 37 grams of carbohydrates, which can relieve tension headaches caused by elevated serotonin levels. Headaches from drinking can also be alleviated by eating potatoes. This is because alcohol is a diuretic; excessive drinking leads to dehydration in the body, loss of trace elements like potassium, and disruption of electrolyte balance. Therefore, eating potassium-rich foods can relieve hangover-induced headaches.
7. Garlic: Fights fungal infections
Commentary: Traditional Chinese medicine considers garlic to be warm in nature and associated with the lung meridian. Folk remedies often use garlic to treat coughs, asthma, and other ailments. Garlic contains alliin and alliinase. When chewed in the mouth, these two substances come into contact to form a colorless, oily liquid, which is the well-known allicin, a substance with strong antibacterial properties. Eating garlic raw provides better antibacterial effects.