Introduction: After entering winter, the north is covered in heavy snow, while the south repeatedly fails to enter winter, experiencing alternating cold and warm spells. In an environment with large temperature differences between morning and evening, the human immune system is easily weakened, leading to symptoms such as colds, sore throats, and dizziness. During this season, health preservation becomes a major matter. Eating the right foods can not only detoxify but also enhance the body's disease resistance.
I. White Radish
As the saying goes, "Eat radish in winter and ginger in summer." Indeed, autumn and winter are very suitable for eating white radish. White radish has the effects of promoting qi and benefiting the stomach, and eating it at this time has multiple benefits.
1. Anti-cancer. White radish contains lignin, a substance that can enhance the activity of macrophages and engulf cancer cells. In addition, white radish also contains various enzymes that can break down carcinogenic nitrosamines, providing a good anti-cancer effect.
2. Aids digestion. Due to the change of seasons, the shift in food can easily weaken the function of the digestive tract, giving bacteria an opportunity to cause gastrointestinal diseases. Eating white radish can use its mustard oil to promote gastrointestinal motility, completely digest food, and also stimulate people's appetite.
3. Boosts immunity. People are prone to colds and illnesses in winter because the body is in a state of low immunity during this period. Eating more white radish can help the body improve its immunity with its rich vitamin C and trace element zinc, avoiding bacterial invasion.
White Radish and Cured Pork Knuckle Stew
II. Chinese Yam
In winter, eating more Chinese yam is good for the body, especially for women. Chinese yam has the effects of benefiting kidney qi, strengthening bones and muscles, strengthening the spleen and stomach, and moisturizing the skin and hair.
Chinese yam contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals needed by the human body. It is rich in nutrients such as carotene, vitamins B1, B2, and C, amylase, and mucopolysaccharides. Among them, carotene, vitamin C, etc., have antioxidant functions and can improve human immunity. Mucopolysaccharides combined with inorganic salts can enhance bone density. The amylase in Chinese yam is beneficial for the digestion of the spleen and stomach, making it suitable for people with a weak spleen and stomach.
Therefore, in winter, stewing Chinese yam with lamb can not only enhance nutrition but also moisturize the skin and nourish the kidneys, improving the body's disease resistance.
III. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is nutritious and contains components such as carbohydrates, protein, carotene, vitamins, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. Pumpkin contains a large amount of carotene, which is very beneficial to the body's metabolism.
The golden-yellow pumpkin is not only pleasing to the eye but also a great food for nourishing the stomach; for women, it also has detoxifying and beautifying effects. The *Compendium of Materia Medica* records that pumpkin "is warm in nature, sweet in taste, and enters the spleen and stomach meridians." The rich pectin in pumpkin can promote the healing of ulcers, "adsorb" bacteria and toxic substances, including heavy metals like lead, thus playing a detoxifying role. The mannitol in pumpkin has a laxative effect, which can reduce the harm of toxins in feces to the human body; the dietary fiber is very fine and soft, which can promote intestinal peristalsis, relieve constipation, and at the same time does not damage the gastric mucosa.
Eating more pumpkin in winter can not only improve the body's immunity but also improve dry skin. If you have constipation, eating pumpkin is even more effective.
Pumpkin and Goji Berry Sweet Soup
IV. Lotus Root
Lotus root is crisp, tender, and juicy, easy to digest, and rich in trace elements such as iron and calcium. Its content of vitamin C and dietary fiber is particularly high. Although lotus root is a cold-natured food, it has a good effect of clearing heat. Therefore, it has a very good effect on nourishing the stomach, strengthening the spleen, and promoting qi. In addition, it can also replenish qi and blood, enhance the body's immunity, and is especially suitable for people with a weak spleen and stomach.
Lotus root has a diuretic effect, which can promote the rapid discharge of waste from the body and purify the blood. Lotus root can be eaten both cold and hot. You can squeeze the lotus root into juice, add an appropriate amount of honey to season and drink it; or you can simmer it slowly over a low heat to make lotus root and pork rib soup.
V. Honey
Honey is a nutritious, fragrant, and sweet natural alkaline food, and it is also an ideal natural beauty product. It is sweet in taste and mild in nature. The *Compendium of Materia Medica* records that "acacia honey has five medicinal effects: clearing heat, tonifying the middle jiao, detoxifying, moistening dryness, and relieving pain." Because of its nourishing yin effect, it is suitable for those with deficiency heat; it can nourish the spleen qi. Ancient medical books pointed out that long-term use can brighten the eyes and make the face as beautiful as a flower, suitable for people with weak constitutions and post-illness conditioning; it can counteract aconite poison and alcohol poison. Koreans have the habit of drinking honey water after being drunk, which not only relieves alcohol but also replenishes the consumed liver glycogen in time, protecting the liver.
Honey contains a large amount of enzymes and minerals, which can greatly improve human immunity when combined with the human body. It can improve the composition of the blood, enhance the function of the heart and blood vessels, and also have a certain protective effect on the liver, promoting the regeneration of liver cells and effectively inhibiting the formation of fatty liver. In addition, honey also has a bactericidal effect. While killing oral bacteria, it is harmless to teeth.
Honey, Fruit, and Yogurt Drink