Medicinally, black jujubes, southern jujubes, red jujubes, and honeyed jujubes are commonly used, among which black and southern jujubes have a stronger effect on nourishing blood and replenishing the middle jiao. Red jujubes are warm-natured but have a milder tonifying effect; honeyed jujubes have a long, clear, and rich flavor with good moisturizing and detoxifying properties. Although jujubes are nutritious, the following points should be noted when consuming them.
1. Do not eat rotten or spoiled jujubes. After jujubes rot, microorganisms proliferate, and the fruit acid enzyme in the jujube continues to break down pectin into pectic acid and methanol, which can further decompose into formaldehyde and methanol. Eating rotten jujubes can cause dizziness and eye damage in mild cases, and can be life-threatening in severe cases.
2. It is not advisable to consume them with vitamin supplements. The vitamin C in jujubes can decompose and destroy vitamin K, reducing its therapeutic effect.
3. It is not advisable to eat them with cucumbers or radishes. Radishes contain ascorbic acid oxidase, and cucumbers contain vitamin-decomposing enzymes; both can destroy vitamins in other foods.
4. They should not be eaten with animal liver. Animal liver is rich in elements like copper and iron, and copper and iron ions can easily oxidize vitamins in other foods, rendering them ineffective.
5. Avoid consumption when taking fever-reducing medication. Consuming high-sugar foods while taking fever-reducing medication can easily form insoluble complexes, reducing the initial absorption rate. As jujubes are high in sugar, they should be avoided.
6. Do not consume them when taking bitter or carminative stomachic medications. Bitter and carminative stomachics work by using the drug's bitterness to stimulate the taste organs, which reflexively increases the excitability of the central nervous system to aid digestion and increase appetite. If jujubes are taken with these medications, they can significantly affect the drug's efficacy.
7. Not suitable for consumption by those with tooth decay pain, lower abdominal bloating, or severe constipation. Also, avoid eating them with scallions or fish.