The kidneys are very important. Kidney deficiency can affect health, but many people experience it, especially men. So what should men eat to nourish the kidneys and strengthen yang? And what foods should they avoid when it comes to kidney nourishment? Let's find out below.
What should men eat to nourish the kidneys and strengthen yang?
1. Understanding Kidney Deficiency: Poor kidney health can lead to symptoms in men such as soreness in the lower back and knees, unsatisfactory sexual performance, and abnormal urination. These foods are top-grade for nourishing and supporting the body.
2. Animal Kidneys: Animal kidneys have the effect of nourishing the kidneys and benefiting essence, which is a concrete manifestation of the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "nourishing organs with similar organs." However, animal kidneys are very high in cholesterol, which men with the "three highs" (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high blood lipids) should pay attention to.
3. Sea Cucumber: Sea cucumber is a great ingredient for nourishing the kidneys and benefiting essence. It is rich in trace elements such as iodine and zinc. It promotes blood production, delays aging, nourishes the skin, and repairs tissues. Friends who are allergic to seafood should be mindful and avoid this food therapy.
4. Shrimp: Shrimp is known for nourishing the kidneys and strengthening yang, and many households are aware of this. But shrimp peel is also a good choice. It is rich in protein and especially abundant in calcium and phosphorus, making it excellent for strengthening bones.
5. Black rice, black beans, chestnuts, black sesame, cashews, and other nuts (like chestnuts, walnuts, pine nuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, etc.) have the function of nourishing the kidneys, securing essence, tonifying the spleen, and removing dampness. Eating raw chestnuts has the most significant effect.
What foods should men avoid when nourishing the kidneys?
1. Beer
Beer can be said to be a favorite of men, but if you suffer from kidney disease and drink beer recklessly and in large quantities, it can cause uric acid to deposit, leading to renal tubular blockage and kidney failure.
2. Refined Flour
In recent years, it has become popular to eat coarse grains and whole-wheat foods. This is because frequently consuming refined white flour products can weaken male reproductive capacity and lead to arterial blockage, thereby increasing the risk of heart attacks and erectile dysfunction.
3. Fatty Meat
Some men particularly love eating fatty meat, finding it satisfying to eat a piece at a time. However, they don't realize that fatty meat contains a large amount of saturated fat and cholesterol. Eating too much can easily clog blood vessels, including those that carry blood to sexual organs. If blood flow is insufficient, how can one be virile? Besides, these are small blood vessels, which are most prone to blockage. Therefore, it is best for men to eat less fatty meat.
4. Hot Pot
Winter is the season for hot pot, but hot pot contains a large amount of purines (eating one hot pot meal can introduce more than 10 times the purines of a regular meal). If you eat too much, uric acid levels in the blood will increase, which is a key cause of gout. Estrogen in the female body promotes uric acid excretion and has an inhibitory effect on arthritis attacks, so it rarely occurs in women. In men, those who entertain often and frequently eat hot pot are more likely to develop high uric acid levels.
5. Celery
Eating more celery can inhibit testosterone production, which has a sperm-killing effect and reduces sperm count.
According to experiments, healthy, fertile young men who consume celery for consecutive days will experience a significant decrease in sperm count, to the point where it becomes difficult to conceive. This situation returns to normal several months after stopping celery. Therefore, men of childbearing age should eat less celery.
6. Tofu
If you consume soy products every day, it will significantly reduce sperm count in men. Soy products have an adverse effect on the male reproductive system, especially sperm production. Soy and its products are rich in isoflavone phytoestrogens. If consumed in excess, it will naturally affect the level of male hormones in the body, leading to a series of adverse consequences.
7. Soybeans
Soybeans are a food that contains estrogen-like substances. Excessive intake can increase the body's estrogen levels, thereby affecting male sexual characteristics. However, don't overcorrect; note that it's "excessive." As long as you don't consume large amounts every day, it won't be excessive.
8. Pig Kidneys
Many people love to eat animal offal, especially when grilling, and kidneys are a favorite for many men. But when eating offal to nourish the body, be careful of the heavy metal cadmium, which can damage sperm and cause infertility. Eating too much liver, offal, and pig testicles not only fails to nourish the body but may also lead to infertility.
9. Fried Foods
Fried foods contain a large amount of hydrogenated vegetable fats, which not only cause weight gain and laziness but also affect blood supply to the spongy tissue of the male reproductive organs, impacting sexual life. Fried starchy foods also contain the carcinogen acrylamide, which can lead to oligospermia and asthenospermia in men.
10. Pickled Foods
Pickled foods can be preserved for a long time precisely because they contain a lot of salt. High salt is the culprit of high blood pressure. This is just one aspect; more alarmingly, medical research has shown a close relationship between high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, and low testosterone. The daily salt intake for adults should be 6 grams, but many people consume up to 12 grams. Although pickled foods are delicious, they should only be tasted occasionally and never eaten in large quantities.