Don't eat kelp as a staple food, or you risk arsenic poisoning!

Kelp is a type of seaweed that can be prepared by mixing, stir-frying, stewing, or braising. It is rich in minerals such as iodine. Kelp is low in calories, moderate in protein, and rich in minerals. However, there are many taboos to be aware of when eating kelp. So, what should you pay attention to when consuming kelp?

I. Precautions for Eating Kelp

1. Don't Treat Kelp as a Staple Food

You should not eat kelp as a staple food for long periods, as this can lead to excessive iodine intake, which can affect your health. Moreover, kelp contains a certain amount of arsenic, and excessive intake can cause poisoning. Therefore, before eating kelp, it should be rinsed with water to dissolve the arsenic.

2. Do Not Soak Kelp for a Long Time

Do not soak kelp for too long before eating, as long soaking can cause its nutrients, such as water-soluble vitamins and inorganic salts, to dissolve in the water, reducing its nutritional value. If the kelp becomes mushy and loses its texture after soaking, it has spoiled and should not be eaten. Traditional Chinese medicine considers kelp to be cold in nature, so it should be avoided by people with a weak spleen and stomach.

3. Don't Drink Tea or Eat Fruit Right After Eating Kelp

After eating kelp, do not drink tea or immediately eat astringent fruits, because kelp is rich in iron, and these two foods can hinder the absorption of iron in the body.

4. Special Groups Should Eat Kelp with Caution

Patients with hyperthyroidism should not eat kelp because it is rich in iodine, which can aggravate the condition. Pregnant and lactating women should not eat too much kelp. This is because the iodine in kelp can enter the fetus and infant's body through the bloodstream, causing thyroid dysfunction.

Kelp and Tofu Stewed with Pork

Further Reading: A Complete Guide to Eating Kelp

II. Dietary Taboos for Kelp

1. Tea

Kelp and tea are incompatible and can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Do not drink tea immediately after eating kelp, because tea contains tannic acid, and kelp is rich in iron. Tannic acid will hinder the absorption of iron in the body.

2. Pork Blood

Kelp and pork blood are incompatible. Eating them together is not good for digestion and absorption and can lead to constipation.

3. Licorice

Kelp should not be eaten with licorice. Kelp is a salty, cold, and slippery food rich in iodine, which can easily have adverse reactions with certain components in licorice. Licorice tonifies qi and strengthens the spleen, and it is best paired with warm-natured foods. Since kelp is salty and cold, you must avoid sea vegetables when taking licorice.

4. Persimmons

Kelp and persimmons are incompatible. Eating them together can form insoluble compounds that may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Kelp, rich in calcium ions, and persimmons, high in tannic acid, when consumed together, the calcium in the kelp can bind with the tannic acid in the persimmons to form insoluble compounds. This can easily affect the digestion and absorption of certain nutrients, leading to gastrointestinal discomfort. Therefore, kelp should not be eaten with persimmons.

5. Astringent Fruits

Kelp and astringent fruits are incompatible and can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. It is also not advisable to eat astringent fruits immediately after eating kelp. If the arsenic in the kelp is not washed clean, the vitamin C in the astringent fruits can react with the arsenic to form toxic substances. Furthermore, astringent fruits contain plant acids, and kelp is rich in iron. Plant acids can hinder the absorption of iron in the body.

6. Acidic Foods

Kelp is an alkaline food and should generally not be eaten with acidic foods. Examples include egg yolks, cheese, desserts, sugar, tuna, flounder; ham, bacon, chicken, pork, eel, beef, bread, wheat, etc.

Cold-dressed Kelp Shreds

Don't eat kelp as a staple food, or you risk arsenic poisoning!

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