As the Great Cold arrives, a cold front also sweeps in. The cold causes our blood vessels to constrict, leading to a rise in blood pressure. People's diets in winter are rich in calories and fat, which can easily raise our blood sugar and blood lipid levels. Eating the "Three Winters" can solve your health worries.
The "Three Winters" are 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 and low in sodium, making it a great dietary choice for patients with hypertension.
Winter jujube is very 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 boost the human immune system and prevent colds. In addition, it is also rich in carbohydrates and cyclic adenosine monophosphate, 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 the descent of qi, 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, among which the iron content is particularly high, earning it the reputation of "blood-enriching fruit." After winter begins, many office workers often feel dizzy, drowsy, and have a decreased reaction ability. At this time, eating some sugarcane is very beneficial.
Here is a recommended recipe for "Winter Melon, Shitake Mushroom, and Kelp Soup": 40 grams of dried shrimp, 400 grams of winter melon, 200 grams of kelp, and 20 grams of fresh shitake mushrooms, with a small amount of astragalus root. Wash and cut the kelp, winter melon, and shitake mushrooms. Wash the dried shrimp and astragalus root separately. Place the kelp, dried shrimp, shitake mushrooms, and astragalus root in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, add green onions and ginger slices, and cook for about 30 minutes. Then add the winter melon and cook until done. Season with soy sauce, yellow wine, and salt before serving.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the "Three Winters" are cool in nature, so we should not eat too much at once, and they should not be eaten raw. You can add them to soups or congee. Stay healthy during the Great Cold and use the "Three Winters" to give your body a thorough cleanse.