Nowadays, people are paying more and more attention to their health, especially the health of the elderly, which is a major topic of concern. Experts say that maintaining good health is important for the elderly, and regularly eating the following foods can help prolong their lifespan.
Peanuts: Peanuts contain various amino acids that the body needs. Regular consumption can enhance memory, lower blood pressure, and slow down aging. However, peanuts are not suitable for people with digestive problems. Peanuts contain a large amount of fat, so they can worsen conditions such as enteritis and dysentery in individuals with poor gastrointestinal function. For people who have had their gallbladders removed, eating peanuts can cause indigestion as the gallbladder is responsible for storing bile, which aids in digestion. Peanuts contain a coagulation factor, so individuals with bruises or blood stasis should avoid them as they may worsen swelling and pain. People with hyperlipidemia should also avoid peanuts as they can increase the level of lipids in the blood, which is a significant cause of diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.
Honey: Consuming a spoonful of honey on an empty stomach every morning can benefit the five internal organs, relieve pain, detoxify, and prevent arteriosclerosis. Honey is one of the most commonly used tonics and has effects such as clearing heat, moisturizing the lungs, and suppressing coughs. According to experts, honey contains various inorganic salts similar to those found in human blood serum. It also contains abundant fructose, glucose, vitamin C, K, B1, B2, various organic acids, and beneficial trace elements such as iron and calcium. Fructose and glucose can be directly absorbed and utilized by the body without digestion, making honey an ideal tonic.
The general method of consumption is to take 25 grams of honey on an empty stomach in the morning and evening, dissolved in water not exceeding 60°C. This can promote normal secretion of gastric acid, enhance intestinal peristalsis, and significantly shorten the time required for defecation. It is recommended to consume honey 1-1.5 hours before meals or 2 hours after meals. People with neurasthenia can consume honey before bedtime to improve sleep and facilitate falling asleep. Among all natural foods, honey has the highest energy content required by brain neurons. The fructose and glucose in honey can be quickly absorbed and utilized by the body, improving the nutritional status of the blood. Drinking a glass of honey water after staying up late, engaging in strenuous physical labor, or exercising can quickly increase blood sugar levels, enhance vitality, and relieve fatigue.
Ginger: Consuming a few slices of ginger with breakfast every day can promote blood circulation, aid digestion, and contribute to longevity. Ginger is used to dispel external pathogenic factors, mainly for dispersing wind and cold. It is commonly used to treat mild colds by decocting it with red sugar and taking it while hot. This can induce sweating and relieve symptoms. Ginger has a weak diaphoretic effect and is often used in combination with ephedra and cinnamon twig as an auxiliary medicine to enhance sweating.
Ginger is also used to relieve nausea and vomiting. It can be used alone to treat gastric cold-induced vomiting, or in combination with pinellia ternata, bamboo shavings, and coptis chinensis to treat hot-induced vomiting. Ginger can also counteract the toxicity of fish and crabs, either used alone or in combination with perilla leaf. In addition, ginger can counteract the toxicity of pinellia ternata and arisaema by decocting it with them. This can be used to treat symptoms such as hoarseness, tongue swelling, and numbness caused by the toxicity of pinellia ternata and arisaema. Therefore, when processing pinellia ternata and arisaema, ginger is often used to reduce their toxicity.
Garlic: Garlic has strong bactericidal and antibacterial effects and is known as "penicillin grown in the ground" and "natural antibiotic". However, garlic is not suitable for everyone. Experts tell us that the following four groups of people should avoid eating garlic.
1. Patients taking medication: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that garlic has a pungent taste. It can inhibit the effectiveness of certain drugs and even react with certain ingredients in drugs to produce toxins. Therefore, people who are taking medication should avoid eating garlic.
2. Patients with eye diseases: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that long-term and excessive consumption of garlic can "damage the liver and impair the eyes". Modern medical research has found that people with eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, conjunctivitis, styes, and dry eyes may experience symptoms such as decreased vision, tinnitus, dizziness, and memory loss if they consume large amounts of garlic for a long period of time. Therefore, patients with eye diseases should consume garlic in moderation.
3. Patients with hepatitis: Many people believe that eating garlic can prevent hepatitis, and some even continue to consume large amounts of garlic after contracting hepatitis. This is incorrect. First, garlic cannot kill the hepatitis virus. Second, certain components in garlic can stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, inhibit the secretion of digestive juices, and worsen symptoms such as nausea and abdominal distension in patients with hepatitis. In addition, volatile components in garlic can reduce the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood, which is not conducive to the recovery of patients with hepatitis. Therefore, patients with hepatitis should avoid eating garlic.
Jujube: Jujube is rich in nutrients and contains a high amount of sugars, vitamins, and minerals, earning it the nickname "natural vitamin". Although red dates are considered a good health fruit, they are not suitable for individuals with severe constipation, internal heat, or other related conditions. The "Sui Xi Ju Diet Recipe" states, "Excessive consumption causes bloating, diarrhea, and is most detrimental to health. It should be avoided by children, postpartum women, and those with warm or hot diseases, jaundice, or swelling."
