The water chestnut has a purplish-black skin, white flesh, a sweet, juicy, and crisp taste. It can be eaten as both a fruit and a vegetable, and has been praised since ancient times as the "pear of the underground."
Water chestnuts are rich in protein and carbohydrates but are not high in calories. Traditional Chinese medicine considers water chestnuts to be a "cold" natured food that can clear heat and purge fire, while also providing nourishment. It is very effective for reducing fever in the early stages of an illness; about 10 at a time is sufficient. It has the effects of cooling the blood and detoxifying, promoting urination and bowel movements, resolving dampness and reducing phlegm, and aiding digestion to relieve bloating. During seasons with a high incidence of respiratory infectious diseases, eating fresh water chestnuts is also beneficial for the prevention and treatment of cerebrospinal meningitis, measles, pertussis, and acute pharyngitis.