Boiled Fish is a specialty dish from Chongqing. With its unique ultra-spicy and numbing flavor, rich color, and oily fish fillets, it greatly stimulates people's appetite and has become a popular dish enjoyed all over the country. However, few people are concerned about the actual health effects of eating Boiled Fish.
There have been media reports of people developing "soft tissue abscesses" from eating too much Boiled Fish. Although doctors later stated this was an extremely rare occurrence, reactions like getting pimples, feeling "heaty" (a concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine), and stomach discomfort after eating it are common experiences for many.
The following analysis from the perspective of food nutrition examines whether Boiled Fish affects health, which might help everyone enjoy it with more peace of mind.
Boiled Fish
Salt
The daily salt intake for a healthy person should be 3-5 grams, but the amount of salt in Boiled Fish far exceeds this standard. The hidden dangers are:
Excessive salt intake can easily cause the body to retain water. If this excess water is not expelled in time, it can lead to swelling in the hands and feet and weight gain. For women, eating Boiled Fish during their menstrual period can worsen bloating and easily lead to fatigue.
Excessive salt intake can easily cause nervousness, high blood pressure, and affect the elasticity of blood vessels.
Oil
Oil contains a large amount of calories and fat. Consuming too much will increase the body's fat content. The daily intake of 30-50 grams of edible oil (including the fat content in food) is sufficient to meet the body's needs and should not be exceeded. The oil used to cook Boiled Fish is not only used in large quantities but is also repeatedly heated. The hidden dangers are:
Excessive oil intake leads to excessive fat consumption.
Repeatedly heating oil produces carcinogenic substances that are harmful to the human body.
It destroys the nutritional value in the fish, preventing people from absorbing the necessary nutrients after consumption.
Chili Peppers
Most people know that eating too many chili peppers can make one feel "heaty" and cause inflammation. Boiled Fish uses an excessive amount of chili peppers. The hidden dangers are:
It strongly stimulates the digestive tract, which in severe cases can cause gastrointestinal bleeding or trigger ulcers. It can also lead to constipation.
It can cause deep-seated skin abscesses, affecting one's facial appearance.
Intense Flavor
The intense spicy and numbing flavor of Boiled Fish greatly stimulates the taste nerves, increasing the secretion of saliva and gastric juices, accelerating gastrointestinal motility, and making people feel excited. The hidden danger is:
It can lead to taste fatigue and create a dependency, making people crave more and more. This is why some people eat Boiled Fish every few days.
Side Dishes
The unique taste of Boiled Fish can easily cause people to neglect the intake of other foods while eating it.
The side dishes in Boiled Fish are monotonous; besides the fish, the only vegetable is often bean sprouts. Long-term consumption leads to an unbalanced diet.
To pair with the spicy fish, most people over-consume drinks like Coke or beer, partly for the thrill and partly to alleviate the spiciness. However, these are not drinks that should be consumed in excess. Coke has a very high sugar content and stimulating ingredients like caffeine. Excessive beer consumption puts a heavy burden on the liver due to its alcohol content, leading to fat accumulation and, in severe cases, fatty liver.
Tips for Eating Boiled Fish:
Don't overeat Boiled Fish. Those who are "addicted" and have to have a盆 (large portion) every few days should be especially mindful of moderation.
Boiled Fish is a high-protein, high-calorie food. While eating high-energy foods can be beneficial as the weather gets colder, be sure to pair it with vegetables and fruits to avoid vitamin deficiencies.
If you experience constipation the day after eating Boiled Fish, it's because it's too spicy. In this case, it's best to drink more tea. If you have radishes, eating some can help relieve gas.
The immediate consequence after eating Boiled Fish is a sore throat and feeling "heaty," because these foods are considered "damp" and easily produce phlegm and heat. It's a good idea to drink chrysanthemum tea to counteract this effect. Also, if you frequently eat Boiled Fish in the winter, drink at least 1000ml of water daily to help alleviate the "internal heat."
boiled fish