Chestnuts have great health benefits. According to traditional Chinese medicine, chestnuts have a sweet and warm nature and can nourish the stomach, strengthen the spleen, nourish the kidneys, and strengthen the waist. The rich unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins in chestnuts can also prevent and treat diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis. They are a valuable health food.
I. Nutritional Benefits
Chestnuts are a nourishing and therapeutic health food. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that chestnuts can nourish the stomach, strengthen the spleen, nourish the kidneys, invigorate the blood, stop bleeding, and reduce swelling. Chestnuts are highly nutritious, containing abundant carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Their nourishing function is comparable to that of ginseng, astragalus, and angelica. They are especially effective for patients with kidney deficiency. Therefore, people with kidney deficiency can eat more chestnuts. In addition, chestnuts have good preventive and therapeutic effects on hypertension, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis. Elderly people who frequently consume chestnuts can also experience anti-aging and longevity effects. Chestnuts are rich in dietary fiber and have a lower glycemic index than rice. Diabetic patients can enjoy them in moderation if they are not processed with added sugar.
II. Methods of Consumption
After chestnuts are dried, eat 15 of them daily. Chew them slowly to effectively treat kidney deficiency and alleviate lower back and leg soreness. Boil chestnuts in water, add some brown sugar, and consume the soup. This is effective for post-illness weakness, soreness in limbs, bruises, and blood stasis pain. Cook chestnut porridge with white sugar, which has the effects of nourishing kidney qi and strengthening tendons and bones. Eating raw chestnuts can stop bleeding and treat common bleeding symptoms such as vomiting blood and bloody stools. Stir-fry or steam chestnuts to strengthen the stomach and invigorate the spleen.
For children with spleen deficiency, steam the chestnut kernels and grind them into powder to make cakes. This can increase their appetite and relieve diarrhea. Chestnuts cooked with glutinous rice can be used to help patients with chronic diarrhea caused by spleen and stomach deficiency and also for elderly people who have poor appetite due to declining function. For bruises and blood stasis pain caused by accidental injuries, grind raw chestnut meat into a paste and apply it to the affected area.
Different cooking methods have different effects, but whether they are eaten raw, stir-fried, or simmered, it is important to chew them thoroughly and swallow them with saliva to achieve better nourishing effects.
III. Selection Methods
When purchasing chestnuts, it is important to avoid ones with holes and worms. Some unscrupulous vendors use toxic insecticides to drive away the worms in chestnuts with wormholes so that they can sell them. This results in high levels of pesticide residues in the chestnuts, which is harmful to health. In addition, do not consume chestnuts that have sprouted. Sprouted chestnuts contain aflatoxin, which can cause cancer. Removing the sprouts does not solve the problem because the entire chestnut has been contaminated by aflatoxin. To prevent chestnuts from sprouting, boil them in boiling water for 5 minutes or soak them in water for 2-3 days, then dry them in a well-ventilated container. This can prolong the storage time of chestnuts, although they may lose some of their fresh taste due to dehydration.
IV. Precautions
Although chestnuts have high nutritional and health benefits, they should be consumed in moderation. Eating too many at once can cause bloating. It is recommended to eat six or seven chestnuts per day consistently to achieve good nourishing effects. The best way to consume them is as a snack between meals or incorporate them into dishes. Avoid consuming them in large quantities after a meal because chestnuts contain a relatively high amount of starch, which can contribute to weight gain. When purchasing chestnuts, do not blindly pursue white or golden flesh. Chestnuts that have undergone chemical treatment may have a bright appearance. Normal chestnuts turn brown when ripened.
V. Peeling Raw Chestnuts
Use a knife to cut open the outer shell of the chestnut, then boil it in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Remove it from the water and soak it in cold water. After that, it will be easy to remove the inner skin. Alternatively, seal the chestnuts in a plastic bag and place them in the freezer for 3 days, then take them out to thaw. Cut them open with a knife and gently peel off the furry skin attached to the chestnut.
