As the saying goes, "Food should not be too refined, nor cooking too elaborate," but this is not scientifically sound. With the improvement of living standards and the continuous advancement of food processing technology, people are eating more and more refined foods. For example, making steamed buns requires refined flour, and making noodles requires super-white flour. However, nutrition experts believe that long-term avoidance of coarse grains can affect male sexual function.
Overly refined food can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar, induce hyperinsulinemia, and even lead to arteriosclerosis. The human circulatory system is a whole, and blood sugar problems can affect the arteries of the penile corpora cavernosa, causing insufficient blood supply to the genitals, thereby affecting libido and erection.
The more refined the food is processed, the more severe the loss of nutrients. For example, a large amount of vitamins in staple foods like pasta is lost—the parts richest in vitamin B1 and vitamin B2 are the bran of the grain, and vitamin E is in the germ. Refined processing often discards the bran and germ of these grains. The long-term deficiency of these micronutrients can cause malnutrition symptoms such as anemia, angular cheilitis, and fatigue, which in turn can lead to an increase in estrogen and a decrease in androgens, causing a decline in testicular vitality and reduced sperm production, which also affects libido.
Eating coarse grains is beneficial to health: Glutinous rice warms the stomach, and Job's tears nourish the skin.
Today, the staple foods on the dining table have formed a situation where "refined rice and white flour" dominate. However, an overly refined diet has led to a growing population of people with "three highs" (i.e., high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood lipids). In recent years, nutritionists at home and abroad have been calling for the inclusion of coarse grains in the diet for better health. However, there are many types of coarse grains, and how can people of different ages choose and combine them optimally?
Eating coarse grains for health also varies by age; finding the right method is more beneficial.
In recent years, due to people's excessive pursuit of eating refined foods, many people have developed "rich man's diseases." Nowadays, people are gradually realizing the importance of coarse grains for the body's needs. However, it must be noted that although coarse grains are beneficial to health, they should not be eaten indiscriminately.