For leftover dipping sauces and broth that cannot be finished in one sitting, they should be discarded. If left in a copper hot pot overnight, they should absolutely not be eaten, as it is not only harmful to health but may also cause acute copper oxide poisoning.
Error One: "One Hot Bite Beats Three Fresh Ones"
Manifestation: The delicious food from the steaming hot pot is directly popped into the mouth the moment it's picked up, scalding the tongue until it goes numb, making the forehead sweat, and eliciting cries of delight, all in the name of "one hot bite beats three fresh ones."
Real Harm: The oral cavity, esophagus, and stomach lining can generally only tolerate temperatures up to 50°C. Food that is too hot will damage this mucous membrane. The broth of a hot pot can reach up to 120°C, so eating it immediately can easily scald the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue, esophagus, and stomach. People who suffer from recurrent mouth sores are prone to "internal heat" after eating hot pot, which can increase the chances of developing sores by several times or worsen existing oral mucosal inflammation. Repeatedly doing so can also induce esophageal cancer. The most dangerous are those with precancerous lesions such as oral leukoplakia or lichen planus; the high temperature and irritation from the hot pot seasonings will aggravate these conditions.
Correction: When eating hot pot, you must not be impatient. Take small portions of food from the pot and wait for them to cool down before eating. It's best to follow the principle, "Rather forgo the three fresh delicacies, than eat something too hot."
Error Two: "The Rarer, the Fresher"
Manifestation: In pursuit of a fresh, crisp, tender, and smooth texture, food is only swished briefly in the hot pot before being eaten.
Real Harm: This eating habit not only causes indigestion but also allows bacteria and parasite eggs hidden in the food to be ingested, leading to illness. According to research, three serious parasitic diseases—trichinosis, taeniasis, and cysticercosis—can all be transmitted through hot pot. Unclean pork and beef slices are very likely to contain these three parasites. Although it cannot be confirmed whether lamb contains trichinosis, taeniasis, or cysticercosis, there have been reports of people contracting trichinosis from eating lamb hot pot. If you contract a parasitic disease, you will experience fatigue, muscle aches, body swelling, and sometimes a stinging sensation when you walk.
Correction: When eating hot pot, always slice the meat thinly and cook it for a long time. When swishing pork or beef slices, make sure they are thoroughly cooked before eating. Also, check the slices for any white, rice-like substances; if present, they could be cysticercosis eggs.
Error Three: "Mixing Hot and Cold to 'Neutralize'"
Manifestation: A bite of spicy hot pot followed by a gulp of ice-cold beer is a popular hot pot method for many, aptly named "neutralizing."
Real Harm: The drastic change between hot and cold is extremely detrimental to the stomach lining and can easily cause gastrointestinal diseases.
Correction: When eating hot pot, try to avoid drinking cold beverages.
Error Four: "Let the Spice Come On Stronger"
Manifestation: When it comes to hot pot, the numbing, spicy, and scalding flavor is always the top choice because the feeling of sweating profusely from the spice is incredibly satisfying.
Real Harm: The destructive power of a numbing and spicy hot pot on the gastrointestinal tract is not hard to imagine. The spicy taste first irritates the esophagus, then quickly passes through the stomach and small intestine, severely irritating the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal wall, causing acid and gas. This not only easily leads to esophagitis and gastritis but also inevitably results in diarrhea. Office workers with a history of constipation or hemorrhoids should be particularly careful. Otherwise, hemorrhoid sufferers are prone to relapse due to excessive congestion of the sphincter muscle from stimulation around the anus, and constipation sufferers will find themselves even more "blocked up."
Correction: Although everyone's tolerance for spice is different, for the sake of your stomach, doctors recommend eating numbing and spicy hot pot as little as possible. Do not eat too much at once and try to keep the seasonings mildly spicy. Also, drink less of the spicy broth. After the meal, drink more plain water or strong tea to dilute the spicy juices and reduce irritation to the stomach, which will make your gastrointestinal tract more comfortable. If you feel any discomfort, drink some light beverages like thin congee or milk to protect the stomach lining.
Error Five: "Hot Pot Broth is Nutritious"
Manifestation: Drinking all the "nutritious broth" left after cooking in the hot pot.
Real Harm: Hot pot broth is mostly made with high-fat substances like lard, tallow, or beef tallow, and is often seasoned with chili, pepper, and Sichuan peppercorns. Consuming too much can easily lead to high blood lipids, gallstones, duodenal ulcers, mouth sores, gingivitis, and hemorrhoids. Furthermore, as the broth continues to boil and is not changed, its ingredients can undergo chemical reactions to produce harmful substances. For example, porphyrin substances from meat and seafood are mostly dissolved into the broth. The high concentration of porphyrin, metabolized by the liver, produces a large amount of nitric acid, which can cause gout with symptoms of joint pain and, in severe cases, damage kidney function.
Correction: For leftover ingredients and broth that cannot be finished in one sitting, they should be discarded. If left in a copper hot pot overnight, they should absolutely not be eaten, as it is not only harmful to health but may also cause acute copper oxide poisoning.