The kidneys play a very important role in the human body; only with healthy kidneys can the body be healthy. For men, once they pass the age of thirty, their health often declines, such as gaining weight, a decrease in physical strength, energy, and sexual function. At this time, using diet therapy to nourish the kidneys and strengthen yang can have a great effect. So, what foods are best for nourishing men's kidneys?
The Kidney is the Foundation of Innate Constitution; Nourishing the Kidney Must Differentiate Between Yin and Yang
The kidney governs the storage of essence, and the stored kidney essence is the material basis for the human body's growth, development, and defense against pathogenic factors. The kidney is the foundation of innate constitution and the root of life. It can govern the bones, generate marrow, nourish the brain and improve intelligence, and promote hair growth and keen hearing. When kidney qi is strong, a person is full of energy, with strong bones, sharp hearing, and a clear mind, and their hair is black and shiny. Once kidney qi declines and decays, there will be confusion and deafness, brittle bones and shaky teeth, premature graying of beard and hair, and aging before one's time. Therefore, nourishing the kidney well means nourishing the innate constitution, and knowing how to nourish the kidney means knowing how to maintain life.
In terms of function, the kidney's essence can be divided into kidney yin and kidney yang. Kidney yin and kidney yang are interdependent and mutually restrictive, maintaining the body's dynamic balance. When this balance is disrupted, pathological changes such as a relative deficiency or excess of kidney yin or kidney yang will occur. Clinically, kidney yin deficiency is more common than kidney yang deficiency, so the concept that nourishing the kidney is the same as strengthening yang has a certain misunderstanding.
The manifestations of kidney yang deficiency are a pale or dark complexion, soreness and coldness in the lower back and knees, cold limbs, mental fatigue, and general weakness; in men, impotence and premature ejaculation; in women, infertility and decreased libido; unformed stools or frequent, clear urination, excessive nocturnal urination, a pale tongue with a white coating, and diarrhea at dawn (the fifth watch). The manifestations of kidney yin deficiency are a flushed complexion, soreness and pain in the lower back and knees, dizziness and tinnitus, loose teeth and hair loss; in men, spermatorrhea and premature ejaculation; in women, scanty or absent menstruation; insomnia and forgetfulness, a dry mouth and throat, irritability, sweating upon exertion, afternoon malar flushing, a thin body, scanty and yellow urine, and a red tongue with little or no coating.
Sautéed Lamb with Scallions
Men should eat more of these foods to nourish the kidneys
Lamb: In the "Bencao Shiyi" (Supplement to Materia Medica), lamb is compared to ginseng, considered a superior meat for warming and nourishing, strengthening the body, and building constitution. Modern nutrition also confirms that lamb is not only rich in nutrients but also contains trace sex hormones, which indeed has a strengthening effect. However, lamb should not be eaten with vinegar or tea, as this will reduce its strengthening effect, produce tannic acid protein, and cause constipation.
Shrimp: Can nourish the kidneys and strengthen yang, and invigorate kidney qi. It can be consumed by anyone with insufficient kidney yang, such as those with soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, impotence, or infertility.
Hawthorn: Contains ursolic acid, which can reduce the deposition of animal fat on the blood vessel walls and has a certain effect of preventing or alleviating arteriosclerosis. Eating fresh hawthorn, using dried hawthorn to make tea, or adding hawthorn to stewed meat can not only season the food but also aid digestion.
Chestnuts: Can tonify the spleen and stomach, nourish the kidneys and yang, and are most suitable for those with kidney-deficiency-induced lower back pain.
Walnuts: Can tonify the kidneys and secure essence, moisten the intestines to relieve constipation, and strengthen muscles and bones. They are especially suitable for those with kidney yin deficiency.
Okra: Also known as kidney-nourishing grass. The main edible part is the tender capsule (pod), which is tender, smooth, has a unique flavor, and is highly nutritious, making it more suitable for daily dietary supplementation than ginseng. In addition, the young fruit of okra contains a viscous glycoprotein that aids digestion, treats gastritis and gastric ulcers, and can protect the liver and enhance human endurance. The young leaves are also edible, and the flowers, seeds, and roots have effects on malignant sores and carbuncles, and have a certain anti-cancer effect. The seeds contain relatively high amounts of minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, and manganese, from which oil, protein can be extracted, or it can be used as a coffee substitute.
Chinese Yam: Can strengthen the spleen and benefit the kidneys, and tonify deficiency and secure essence. It is suitable for people with kidney deficiency to eat regularly.
Goji Berry: Can nourish the kidneys and liver, benefit essence, and improve eyesight. It is especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly people with kidney deficiency, and has the effect of prolonging life.
Seven Best Home-Cooked Recipes for Nourishing Men's Kidneys; You Deserve to Have Them
Sesame Paste
1. King of Flowers and Dried Duck Soup with Pork Ribs
Ingredients: Ginger, jujubes, dried duck kidneys, dried king of flowers, pork ribs, water, rice wine, salt.
Method: Wash the dried king of flowers with water and soak until softened. Cut open and clean the dried duck kidneys. Chop the pork ribs into pieces and blanch them in boiling water. Add an appropriate amount of water to a pot, bring to a boil, then add the prepared jujubes, ginger, dried duck kidneys, king of flowers, pork ribs, and rice wine. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for one and a half hours. Add an appropriate amount of salt to taste, then serve.
2. Sparrow and Millet Porridge
Ingredients: 1 sparrow, 50 grams of millet, appropriate amount of scallion, and white wine.
Method: Pluck and chop the sparrow's meat, stir-fry until cooked, add a small amount of white wine and simmer for a short while. Then add water and millet to make porridge. When the porridge is almost done, add the scallion and cook for another 1-2 boils. Take twice daily.
3. Braised Carp with Red Beans
Ingredients: 100 grams of red beans, 500 grams of carp.
Method: Clean the carp, leaving the scales, and place it in a clay pot to braise until cooked. Serve. Continue for 3-7 days.
4. Pig's Trotter Tendons Stewed with Eucommia
Ingredients: Fresh pig's trotter tendons, pork belly, peanuts, walnuts, dried tangerine peel, jujubes.
Method: Clean the pig's trotter tendons and blanch them in boiling water. Clean and soak the dried tangerine peel. Clean all other ingredients. Blanch the walnuts in boiling water to effectively remove the astringent taste. Put all ingredients into a pot, add an appropriate amount of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for about two hours. Add seasonings before serving. Patients with a cold or fever should not consume this recipe to avoid worsening the condition.
5. Crucian Carp and Dried Tangerine Peel Soup
Ingredients: 2 crucian carps (about 200g), 15g dried tangerine peel, 20g jujubes.
Method: Clean the carps, leaving the intestines and guts, place in a pot with a little water. Add the dried tangerine peel and jujubes, simmer over low heat until tender. Season with salt, ginger, chopped scallions, pepper, and MSG before serving.
6. Braised Peanuts with Garlic
Ingredients: 150g peanuts, 100g garlic cloves.
Method: Cook in a clay pot until tender and season. Can be taken every other day, with effects seen after 2-4 servings.
7. Fresh Milk Sesame Paste
Ingredients: Fresh milk, black sesame seeds, sugar, glutinous rice flour.
Method: Grind the black sesame seeds into powder. Mix the sesame powder with cold water, add an appropriate amount of sugar and stir well. Cook the sesame powder mixture. Mix the glutinous rice flour with an equal amount of water and cook until done. Finally, add fresh milk to complete.
sesame paste
lamb with fried green onions