Chinese jujubes used for medicinal purposes often include black jujubes, Nan jujubes, red jujubes, and honeyed jujubes. Among these, black and Nan jujubes have a stronger effect on nourishing the blood and tonifying the middle jiao. Red jujubes are warm in nature but have a milder tonic effect; honeyed jujubes have a long-lasting, rich, and refreshing flavor, and are better for moistening and detoxifying. Although Chinese jujubes are nutritious, the following points should be noted when consuming them.
1. Do not eat rotten or spoiled jujubes. When jujubes rot, microorganisms multiply, and the fruit acid enzyme in the jujube continues to break down pectin into pectic acid and methanol. Methanol can further decompose into formaldehyde and methanol. Eating rotten jujubes can, in mild cases, cause dizziness and damage the eyes, and in severe cases, be life-threatening.
2. Do not consume with vitamin supplements. The vitamin C in jujubes can decompose and destroy vitamin K, reducing its therapeutic effect.
3. Do not consume with cucumbers or radishes. Radishes contain ascorbic acid oxidase, and cucumbers contain vitamin decomposing enzymes; both ingredients can destroy vitamins in other foods.
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4. Do not consume with animal liver. Animal liver is rich in elements like copper and iron. Copper and iron ions can easily oxidize vitamins in other foods, causing them to lose their efficacy.
5. Avoid consumption when taking fever-reducing medicine. Consuming high-sugar foods while taking fever-reducing medicine can easily form insoluble complexes, reducing the initial absorption rate. Chinese jujubes are high in sugar, so they should be avoided.
6. Do not consume when taking bitter or carminative stomachic medicines. Bitter and carminative stomachic medicines work by using the drug's bitterness to stimulate the taste organs, reflexively increasing the excitability of the central nervous system to aid digestion and increase appetite. If Chinese jujubes are taken with these medicines, they can significantly affect the drug's efficacy.
7. Not suitable for consumption by those with toothache from cavities, abdominal bloating, or severe constipation. Also, avoid eating with green onions or fish.
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