Peanuts are a common food we eat. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers peanuts to be a medicinal herb with good medicinal effects and health value. However, not everyone is suitable for eating peanuts. For some, eating peanuts is a great tonic, while for others, it can be like poison.
TCM believes that peanuts are neutral in nature and sweet in taste, and they enter the spleen and lung meridians. They have the effects of moistening the lungs and resolving phlegm, awakening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, nourishing and regulating qi, and clearing the throat and stopping coughs. They have a therapeutic effect on conditions such as poor appetite and physical weakness, dry cough with little phlegm, malnutrition, hemoptysis, bleeding gums and nosebleeds, skin purpura, insufficient lactation in postpartum women, and constipation.
There are 7 types of people who are not suitable for eating peanuts:
Those who want to lose weight:
Peanuts are high in calories and fat. Eating two liang (100g) of roasted peanuts is equivalent to eating five and a half liang (275g) of steamed buns. If you want to lose weight, stay away from peanuts.
Chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, chronic enteritis:
Patients with these conditions often have symptoms such as chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, or indigestion. Peanuts are a type of nut, with excessively high protein and fat content, making them difficult to digest and absorb.
Bruises and swellings from falls or injuries:
Peanuts contain a clotting factor. For people with bruises, injuries, or blood stasis, eating peanuts may prevent the dissipation of blood stasis and worsen swelling and pain.
Diabetes:
Diabetics need to control their total daily energy intake. 18 peanuts are equivalent to one tablespoon of oil (10g), which can produce 90 kilocalories of energy. Due to the high calorie content, they should be eaten with caution.
Hyperlipoproteinemia:
The dietary treatment principle for hyperlipoproteinemia is to limit calories and reduce the intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. Peanuts are a high-fat, high-calorie food, and eating more can only worsen the condition.
Gout:
Gout is a group of diseases caused by purine metabolism disorders, and all patients have hyperuricemia. Since a high-fat diet reduces uric acid excretion and worsens the condition, peanuts should be avoided during acute gout attacks and eaten in moderation during the remission period.
Gallbladder removal:
Bile is important for the digestion and absorption of fat. High-protein and high-fat foods strongly stimulate the gallbladder, causing a large release of bile. After gallbladder removal, bile cannot be stored, which will inevitably affect the digestion and absorption of fat in oil crops like peanuts.
In conclusion, although peanuts have many health benefits, they are a high-calorie food. Patients with certain conditions should eat peanuts with caution to avoid worsening their illness.