Broths made from animal ingredients such as old hens, water ducks, pork ribs, fish heads, and seafood are often called "stock." They are very popular for their delicious flavor. However, for health reasons, the following patients should consume them with caution.
1. Gout patients. Stock contains purine bases, especially broths made from organ meats and seafood, which have even higher levels. Purine bases metabolize into uric acid in the body, which can deposit in the joints and cause pain. Therefore, patients with gout and hyperuricemia should be careful with these broths. Some elderly people have experienced joint pain after consuming large quantities of these broths, which may be related. Gout patients should also avoid delicious mushroom soup.
2. Patients with stomach ailments, especially those with excess stomach acid, should not drink concentrated meat, chicken, or fish broths in large quantities. This is because the nitrogenous extractives in these broths (the source of the umami flavor, including carnosine, creatine, inosine, purine bases, and small amounts of amino acids) can stimulate gastric acid secretion, causing discomfort. The more nitrogenous extractives, the richer the flavor and the stronger the effect of stimulating gastric acid secretion.
3. Patients with pancreatitis and cholecystitis should also avoid concentrated meat, chicken, and fish broths to prevent the stimulation of large secretions of pancreatic juice and bile, which can cause pain and discomfort.
4. Patients with chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and diabetes should be cautious with broths stewed from livestock (four-legged animals) and poultry (two-legged animals). These broths are high in fat, especially saturated fatty acids, which can easily increase blood lipid levels and are detrimental to disease prevention and management.
5. Patients who need to limit salt intake, such as those with hypertension, renal insufficiency, or edema, should also drink these broths in moderation. Since broths generally contain about 0.5% salt, drinking too much can easily lead to excessive salt intake and worsen their condition.