As the temperature drops day by day, even as we add more layers of clothing, it seems difficult to ward off the feeling of cold. In fact, clothing only provides insulation. To increase the body's heat energy, we must rely on the effects of food.
Eating hot pot and drinking alcohol are not suitable for everyone
Traditional methods for warding off the cold include eating hot pot and drinking alcohol. While eating hot pot in winter can indeed create a feeling of warmth, it is not suitable for everyone. This is because the winter climate is relatively dry, and the hot pot seasonings tend to be warming. Those who have symptoms of yin deficiency and dry heat, such as a dry mouth, a sore throat, or constipation, should eat it sparingly or not at all.
After drinking alcohol, people often feel a warm sensation all over their bodies, leading many to believe it is a good way to combat the cold. Some even drink alcohol before winter swimming. In reality, this warmth is merely an illusion. Alcohol excites the sympathetic nervous system, causing the body to release a large amount of energy in a short time, creating a feeling of warmth. However, this warmth is very brief. As blood vessels dilate and a significant amount of heat is lost, the person will feel even colder.
6 types of foods can truly make you feel warm
The following six types of foods can genuinely increase the body's heat energy. As winter approaches, you can choose to eat more of them:
1. Heat-producing foods:
Low temperatures affect the body's endocrine and digestive systems, accelerating the metabolism and breakdown of the three major nutrients—protein, fat, and carbohydrates—and increasing energy consumption. Therefore, in winter, it is advisable to appropriately increase the intake of these three heat-producing nutrients, such as staple foods and sweets with a small amount of sugar. Particular attention should be paid to the intake of high-quality proteins and fats from fish, dairy, and other sources. When cooking, you can use a bit more vegetable oil.
2. Warming foods (according to Traditional Chinese Medicine):
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that foods like lamb, dog meat, longan, chives, walnuts, and millet have the effect of warming the body and increasing qi. Eating more can improve cold resistance. Conversely, it is best to eat less of cooling or cold-natured foods such as duck, crab, banana, cucumber, watermelon, pear, mung beans, and rock sugar.
3. Foods containing methionine:
Low temperatures increase the excretion of creatinine in urine and accelerate fat metabolism. The synthesis of creatinine and fat metabolism both require methyl groups, which can be provided by methionine. Methionine is one of the eight essential amino acids for the human body. Foods rich in amino acids include sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and leafy vegetables. For the elderly, eating more pig's blood is a good idea. The amino acid profile in pig's blood is very close to that of the human body, making it easily absorbed and suitable for the elderly with weakened digestive functions.
4. Foods containing calcium:
Medical research has shown that a fear of cold is related to a deficiency of minerals in the diet, especially calcium. A lack of calcium affects the contractility and excitability of the heart muscle, blood vessels, and muscles. Therefore, in winter, it is advisable to eat more calcium-rich foods such as milk, soy products, and dried shrimp. Additionally, root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, lotus root, green onions, and potatoes contain a large amount of minerals, and regular consumption can also enhance the body's cold resistance.
5. Foods containing vitamins:
Low temperatures accelerate the metabolism of vitamins in the body, so they should be replenished in a timely manner through diet. For example, Vitamin A can enhance the body's cold tolerance, and Vitamin C can improve the body's ability to adapt to cold. Therefore, in winter, it is advisable to appropriately increase the intake of foods rich in Vitamin A, such as animal liver, carrots, and pumpkin, as well as foods rich in Vitamin C, such as fresh vegetables and fruits.
6. Foods containing iodine:
The human thyroid gland secretes a hormone called thyroxine, which has a heat-producing effect. Thyroxine is composed of iodine and tyrosine; while the body can synthesize tyrosine, iodine must come from external sources. Therefore, in winter, it is advisable to eat more iodine-rich foods such as kelp, seaweed, and shellfish.
Women often feeling cold is related to iron deficiency
Many women are particularly sensitive to cold. In winter, even in a heated room, their hands and feet are often ice-cold. There are many reasons why women are more sensitive to cold than men, and one of the important factors is insufficient iron intake.
Therefore, women who feel cold can appropriately increase their intake of iron-rich foods, such as animal blood and liver. The iron in animal-based foods is heme iron, which has a high absorption rate by the human body. Animal blood, in particular, can have an iron absorption rate of over 22%. While plant-based foods like black fungus, kelp, and sesame seeds also contain relatively high levels of iron, their absorption rates are lower, usually below 10%.
Additionally, Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that women's tendency to feel cold in winter is related to a constitutional deficiency of yang, qi, and blood. Therefore, in addition to eating more warming foods like lamb and dog meat, women should also appropriately increase their intake of foods that replenish qi, nourish blood, and invigorate blood circulation, such as Chinese yam, black-boned chicken, hawthorn, black fungus, and pig's blood.