Eating persimmons on an empty stomach? Don't risk your life!

The persimmon has been cultivated in China for over a thousand years. It is delicious, nutritious, and deeply loved by people. But some people say, "You can't eat persimmons on an empty stomach." Is this true?

Can you eat persimmons on an empty stomach? No!

Never eat persimmons on an empty stomach! Because eating persimmons on an empty stomach might lead to "bezoars." Persimmons contain a large amount of tannic acid. If you eat a persimmon on an empty stomach, the tannic acid will react with stomach acid to form lumps of varying sizes. These lumps are insoluble in water and cannot be quickly digested, which can cause discomfort.

If these lumps remain in the stomach for a long time, they can gradually form a persimmon bezoar. If the bezoar is not expelled from the body in time, it can easily cause intestinal obstruction, or continuously irritate the stomach lining, leading to serious symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, gastric perforation, gastric bleeding, and gastric erosion.

If you ate a persimmon on an empty stomach because you were too tempted, how can you remedy it?

Generally, eating a small amount of persimmon on an empty stomach will not cause a major reaction, so we don't need to worry about developing a bezoar. If you experience abdominal pain after eating a persimmon, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly.

After eating a persimmon on an empty stomach, if you are worried about developing abdominal pain, it is best to eat some rice or noodles and then drink some warm water. After eating a persimmon on an empty stomach, do not drink milk or beverages, as the high protein content in milk will react with the tannic acid in the persimmon, causing it to coagulate into a stone. Beverages are also acidic, and drinking one after eating a persimmon on an empty stomach will worsen the discomfort.

Persimmon Fruit Pie

Further reading: A Complete Guide to Eating Persimmons

What other precautions should be taken when eating persimmons?

1. People with excessive gastric acid secretion, gastric motility disorders, gastric ulcers, or weak digestive function are advised not to eat persimmons, let alone unripe or very astringent ones, as this can easily cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

2. Persimmons should be eaten in moderation. The daily intake should be limited to 1-2, and they should be eaten after a meal. This allows the stomach acid to mix with food first, avoiding the formation of a "persimmon bezoar."

3. Persimmons cannot be eaten with high-protein foods like crabs, as this can easily lead to diarrhea or cause a gastric bezoar. Similarly, persimmons should not be eaten with other high-protein foods such as milk, soy milk, fish, or shrimp.

4. Always peel persimmons before eating; never eat them with the skin on! Because most of the tannic acid in a persimmon is concentrated in the skin. Eating it with the skin significantly increases the risk of forming a bezoar.

5. Diabetics should try to eat fewer persimmons, as they are high in sugar and can easily raise blood sugar, interfering with diabetes treatment.

Braised Pork with Radish

Further reading: A Complete Guide to Eating Bell Peppers

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