Red jujubes nourish qi and blood, making them a great nutritional supplement. However, there are many things to be mindful of when eating them. So, what foods are incompatible with red jujubes? What are the dietary taboos?
I. Foods Incompatible with Red Jujubes
1. Scrophularia Root
Scrophularia root is cold in nature and has the effects of clearing heat and cooling the blood, detoxifying and dissipating nodules, and nourishing yin and promoting fluid production. It can be used for conditions such as yin injury from febrile diseases, dryness in the intestines with constipation, and fluid consumption. Red jujubes are warm in nature, which is the opposite of scrophularia root. Therefore, these two foods cannot be consumed together.
2. Catfish, Silverfish
Eating red jujubes with catfish can create difficult-to-digest food, easily leading to indigestion, and may also cause hair loss. Eating them with silverfish can trigger abdominal pain.
3. Scallions, Garlic
Red jujubes are known as the "natural vitamin pill" and have the effects of nourishing yin and blood, replenishing qi and blood, strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, and nourishing the heart and calming the mind. Scallions and garlic contain volatile oils and pungent elements with a pungent odor, which can promote digestive fluid secretion, improve poor appetite, and also help induce sweating.
However, eating red jujubes with large green onions can easily cause indigestion. Both red jujubes and scallions/garlic are pungent and heat-producing foods, so consuming them together can generate excessive internal heat.
4. Shrimp, Crab
Shrimp and crab are two foods that are incompatible with red jujubes. Red jujubes contain a large amount of vitamins, and eating them with shrimp can easily cause food poisoning. Eating them with crab can easily lead to chills and fever. There should be an interval of at least 2 hours between consuming shrimp, crab, and other seafood with red jujubes.
5. Cucumber, Radish
Although cucumbers and radishes are not considered incompatible with red jujubes, eating them together can reduce the original nutritional value of the food and diminish its original health benefits.
II. Dietary Taboos for Red Jujubes
1. Do not eat too many: Red jujubes are high in sugar. Eating too many can easily lead to indigestion and also cause "heatiness" (internal heat). Do not eat more than 20 at a time.
2. Not suitable for those with "heatiness": Red jujubes are a warming food. People with a "heaty" constitution or those who already have symptoms of "heatiness" should avoid eating them, otherwise, it will worsen the body's discomfort.
3. Not suitable for consumption during menstruation for those with heavy flow: Women with heavy menstrual flow should avoid eating red jujubes during their period to prevent further increase in flow. However, for friends with qi and blood deficiency, drinking some red jujube soup in moderation during their period can replenish physical strength and benefit qi and blood.
4. Not suitable for those with damp-heat: Red jujubes are rich and greasy. Eating too many can promote damp-heat. For those with heavy internal damp-heat, yellow tongue coating, dry stools, yellow urine, and increased, sticky leukorrhea, it is recommended not to eat red jujubes.
5. Diabetics should eat less: Red jujubes contain a lot of sugar, so diabetics should consume them in moderation. If eaten in excess, rinse the mouth with clean water promptly to maintain oral hygiene.
6. Those with a poor stomach should be cautious when consuming: Red jujubes are an excellent product for nourishing and conditioning. However, the skin of the jujube is relatively difficult to digest and can easily cause excessive stomach acid, bloating, and other discomforts. It is best to cook the jujubes until they are soft before eating, which makes them easier to digest.