Autumn is the season for eating crabs. People always look for other food and drinks to accompany the crabs. Especially, many people have the habit of eating crabs while drinking beer. However, it is important to know that there is a proper selection of food to eat with crabs. If the wrong combination is made, it can lead to various discomfort symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. So, can you drink beer while eating crabs?
Can you drink beer while eating crabs?
It is best not to drink beer while eating crabs. Crabs are high in protein and low in fat, and they contain purine and nucleic acid. Beer contains vitamin B1, which is a catalyst for the decomposition and metabolism of purine and nucleic acid. When these three substances are mixed together, they can cause a chemical reaction. This can rapidly increase the uric acid content in the blood, disrupting the original balance. If uric acid is not promptly excreted from the body, it can precipitate in the body in the form of sodium salt, forming stones and even causing gout.
Be careful of the impact on sexual function when drinking beer while eating crabs
Male friends, in particular, need to pay attention. Drinking beer while eating crabs can not only cause diarrhea and gout but also potentially affect sexual function. This is because beer contains a chemical substance called 8-Prenylnaringenin, which can limit the reproductive capacity of sperm and affect male semen. After premature release of the enzyme necessary for fertilizing the egg, the number of testosterone, a male hormone, decreases in the blood after heavy drinking, leading to sexual dysfunction.
How to eat crabs in a healthier way
When eating crabs, it is best not to drink beer. You can steam the crabs for a period of time to remove a large amount of purine and nucleic acid. It is also recommended to drink plenty of water to timely remove uric acid from the body. While eating crabs, you can also consume vegetables and fruits that are rich in vitamins A, C, and E to help reduce the precipitation of urate salts. However, persimmons, celery, spinach, cauliflower, and mushrooms are not suitable to be consumed while eating crabs.
What wine is suitable to drink while eating crabs
Drink white wine while eating crabs
White wine has a refreshing taste and contains a large amount of vitamins. It is suitable to be paired with crabs. White wine has strong bactericidal effects and can effectively inhibit the reproduction of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Shigella in the human body. The vitamins in crabs can enhance the umami taste of crab meat, making it taste even better.
Drink yellow wine while eating crabs
Although crabs are delicious, they have a cooling nature. Eating too many crabs can easily harm the spleen and stomach. Yellow wine has the effect of promoting blood circulation and warming the stomach, making it the best choice to eliminate the coldness when eating crabs. Moreover, the mellow taste of yellow wine can eliminate the fishy smell in crab meat. The combination of the two is also suitable.
There are considerations for safely eating crabs
Choose fresh crabs
When selecting crabs, pay attention to choosing fresh ones. Fresh crabs have a green back and a white belly, a large and robust body, a protruding belly button, and abundant crab legs and hair, indicating fast and agile movements.
Steam or cook crabs thoroughly before eating
The surface, gills, and digestive tract of live crabs are covered in bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Consuming raw crabs can allow these pathogens to enter the human body and parasitize in the lungs, which can irritate or damage lung tissue and harm health. Therefore, when cooking crabs, it is important to steam or cook them thoroughly for at least 20 minutes to kill any bacteria in the crab meat before consuming them.
Do not store cooked crabs for too long
Some people, out of concern for the quality of dead crabs, tend to cook all the crabs they buy at once and store them. However, this practice is also incorrect. Cooked crabs that are stored for too long can also be contaminated by bacteria, which can lead to health problems. It is best to eat crabs immediately after cooking or, if unable to finish them, store them in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place or in the refrigerator. When eating again, they should still be steamed or cooked thoroughly.
Eat crabs in moderation
Crabs have a cooling nature. Consuming them excessively can affect the spleen and stomach. Moreover, crab roe has a high cholesterol content, and eating too much can lead to symptoms such as bloating and indigestion. It is best for an individual to eat no more than three crabs in one meal and no more than three times a week. When eating, it is recommended to pair them with warm ginger or yellow wine to neutralize the cooling nature of crabs and avoid discomfort in the digestive system.
