Tofu is a food made mainly from soybeans. We often eat it in our daily lives. Due to its rich nutritional value, versatility, and suitability for people of all ages, tofu is popular among the public. It is a delicious food that promotes beauty, health, and longevity. However, while we appreciate the benefits of tofu, we should also be aware of its dietary taboos.
Taboos of consuming tofu
1. Do not consume tofu with honey
Tofu has a sweet and salty taste, is cold in nature, and has a slight toxicity. It can clear heat and stop bleeding, and eliminate intestinal gas. Honey is cool and slippery. Consuming both together can easily cause diarrhea. In addition, honey contains various enzymes, while tofu contains various minerals, plant proteins, and organic acids. The combination of these two can produce biochemical reactions that are not beneficial to the human body. Therefore, after eating tofu, it is not advisable to consume honey, let alone consume them together.
2. Do not consume tofu with spinach
Spinach is rich in nutrients and is known as the "king of vegetables." However, spinach contains a lot of oxalic acid, with about 300 milligrams per 100 grams of spinach. Tofu contains a lot of calcium. If both enter the body at the same time, they can undergo a chemical reaction and form insoluble calcium oxalate. Calcium oxalate is the main component of kidney stones, which are formed by the deposition of insoluble calcium salts such as calcium oxalate and calcium carbonate in the body. Therefore, it is best not to consume spinach and tofu together.
3. Do not consume tofu with brown sugar
Brown sugar contains various organic acids, which can combine with the protease in tofu and easily cause protein denaturation and precipitation, making it difficult for the body to absorb. White sugar does not have this effect.
4. Do not consume tofu with eggs
Consuming tofu with eggs can affect protein absorption.
5. Do not consume tofu with onions
Adding onions to tofu can produce calcium oxalate that is not easily absorbed by the body.
6. Do not consume tofu with milk
Consuming tofu with milk can reduce its nutritional value.
Dangers of excessive tofu consumption
1. Causes indigestion
Tofu contains abundant proteins. Consuming too much at once not only hinders the body's absorption of iron but also leads to symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea.
2. Accelerates renal function decline
As people age, the ability of the kidneys to excrete waste decreases. Consuming a large amount of tofu and ingesting excessive plant protein can increase the production of nitrogenous waste in the body, burden the kidneys, and cause renal function decline, which is not conducive to overall health.
3. Promotes the formation of arteriosclerosis
Tofu products contain abundant methionine, which can be converted into homocysteine under the action of enzymes. Homocysteine can damage the endothelial cells of arterial walls, making it easy for cholesterol and triglycerides to deposit on the arterial walls, thus promoting the formation of arteriosclerosis.
4. Leads to iodine deficiency
Soybeans contain substances called saponins, which can not only prevent atherosclerosis but also promote the excretion of iodine in the body. Long-term excessive consumption of tofu can easily lead to iodine deficiency and iodine deficiency disorders.
5. Triggers gout attacks
Tofu contains a high amount of purines. Patients with gout or those with elevated blood uric acid levels should avoid consuming excessive amounts of tofu, as it can easily trigger gout attacks.
In conclusion, although tofu has the benefits of invigorating qi, promoting digestion, moisturizing dryness, clearing heat, and detoxifying, consuming too much tofu can be harmful to health. Therefore, in the future, when consuming tofu, it is important to avoid excessive consumption.
