Zha cai is delicious in color, aroma, and taste. Many people not only serve it as a side dish for daily meals but also like to bring a few packs on their travels. On one hand, it is refreshing and appetizing, relieving fatigue from the journey. On the other hand, some believe zha cai can alleviate symptoms of motion sickness such as dizziness and stuffiness, even calling it a "natural remedy for motion sickness."
Professor Yang Li from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences told reporters from the "Life Times" that zha cai's "magical properties" have been recorded since ancient times. In the "Compendium of Materia Medica," Li Shizhen described zha cai as having a warm nature and the effect of ventilating the lungs and resolving phlegm, which can benefit the diaphragm and regulate qi. "This is the main reason it can stimulate the appetite and relieve stomach discomfort during motion sickness," Yang said. Meanwhile, the ancient medical text "Dietary Materia Medica" also records that zha cai can dispel head winds, promote the descent of qi, improve vision, benefit the nine orifices, and alleviate dizziness. "Motion sickness is mainly caused by dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear. Zha cai can unblock the nine orifices and harmonize the imbalance in the inner ear, tackling the root cause of motion sickness," Yang explained. Furthermore, zha cai contains vitamin B1, which has a calming effect on the nerves. Therefore, people who often get motion sickness can carry some zha cai on long trips. This allows them to enjoy the beautiful scenery while achieving a good mood and a healthy body—a multi-benefit solution.
However, most zha cai currently on the market is pickled, and its safety and healthiness have been frequently questioned. But according to Shen Guohua, a well-known zha cai expert and associate researcher at the Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, as long as hygiene is well-maintained, it should not be a major issue.
"The nitrosamines and high salt content in pickled zha cai may be the biggest concern for zha cai lovers, but in fact, there are ways to address this," said Hong Zhongxin, director of the Nutrition Department at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University.
First, since vitamin C is a universal antidote, you can supplement your diet with foods rich in vitamin C after eating zha cai, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, red dates, kiwis, and oranges. Second, many low-salt zha cai products are now available on the market. Consuming 10-15 grams a day will not lead to excessive salt intake. Moreover, because zha cai is rich in potassium and fiber, it can help prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, constipation, and colon cancer.