Water chestnuts are a common food in autumn and winter, and there are many ways to cook them. They can be eaten as a fruit, stir-fried as a vegetable, or used to make desserts. What are the health benefits of water chestnuts? Who should avoid eating them?
I. Health Benefits of Water Chestnuts
1. Blood Pressure Lowering
Water chestnuts, combined with jellyfish skin, can reduce heat, eliminate phlegm, and lower blood pressure. Additionally, a drink made from water chestnut juice, fresh lotus root juice, pear juice, fresh reed rhizome juice, and Ophiopogon japonicus juice is called "Five-Juice Drink," used to promote fluid production, reduce heat, and lower blood pressure.
2. Nourishing Stomach Yin
Water chestnuts, when cooked with Ophiopogon japonicus, Asparagus cochinchinensis, Glehnia littoralis, Polygonatum sibiricum, and Polygonatum odoratum, can nourish the stomach's yin fluids.
3. Treating Esophageal Cancer
Consume 10 water chestnuts, steamed or boiled with their skin on, daily.
4. Treating Sore Throat
Drink cold juice extracted from water chestnuts, 125 grams at a time.
5. Preventing Influenza
Take 250 grams of fresh water chestnuts and one sugarcane, cut into sections, boil them in a pot, and eat them when cooked. This has the effects of clearing heat and reducing inflammation, promoting fluid production to quench thirst, and is suitable for restlessness and thirst during the recovery phase of a fever, or for a lingering low-grade fever. It can also help prevent influenza.
6. Promoting Bowel Movements
Take 500 grams of water chestnuts, cook them, mash them, and mix with salt, ginger, and bean flour. Form into balls, deep-fry, and remove. Thicken the remaining stock with starch to make a gravy and pour over the balls. This dish is savory and smooth, aids digestion, stimulates the appetite, and promotes bowel movements.
II. Unsuitable Groups
Water chestnuts are cold-natured and considered a raw and cold food. They are not suitable for children with weak digestive systems. Furthermore, individuals with a weak spleen and stomach, loose stools, or blood stasis should avoid them. Although they may offer some benefits to the elderly, consuming too many can lead to shortness of breath and heart agitation. As you now know, water chestnuts can not only promote bowel movements and prevent influenza but are also good for preventing sore throats and have anti-cancer properties. Of course, it's best for those with a weak spleen and stomach to avoid them.