There are many benefits to eating red dates. However, if we don't eat them properly, it may have the opposite effect and be harmful to our health. So, what are the foods that should not be eaten with red dates? Here are some taboos:
What not to eat with red dates:
1. Red dates + green onions: can cause indigestion
Red dates can nourish the spleen and stomach, invigorate the qi, moisturize the mouth, nourish the heart, and moisten the lungs. Green onions can remove fishy smells, stimulate the secretion of digestive fluids, and improve appetite.
However, combining the two can easily cause indigestion. Moreover, according to traditional Chinese medicine, onions are a hot and spicy food that can promote fire, while red dates are also warm and spicy. Eating them together can increase internal heat.
2. Red dates + crabs: can cause cold and heat diseases
Crabs and red dates are incompatible and eating them together can easily cause cold and heat diseases. It is best to wait at least 2 hours before eating them.
3. Red dates + animal liver: can destroy vitamins
Red dates should not be consumed at the same time as animal liver. Animal liver is rich in copper, iron, and other elements, which can easily oxidize and reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C in other foods. Therefore, red dates should not be consumed together with animal liver.
4. Red dates + milk: can affect protein absorption
After eating red dates, it is not advisable to immediately consume high-protein foods such as dairy products. This is because vitamin C can cause proteins in these two types of foods to coagulate, making them difficult to absorb. Therefore, it is recommended to wait 1 to 2 hours after eating red dates before consuming high-protein foods.
5. Red dates + scrophularia: have conflicting functions
Scrophularia has excellent heat-clearing, detoxifying, and fever-relieving effects, and can prevent and alleviate fever, sore throat, and other conditions. It belongs to cold-natured food and can prevent and treat warmth diseases.
Red dates, on the other hand, are sweet and warm in nature, and have the functions of nourishing the spleen and stomach, invigorating the qi, and moisturizing the mouth. They should not be consumed together with scrophularia because their effects and functions are completely opposite.
Red dates consumption taboos:
1. Not suitable to consume red dates during menstruation
Women should avoid consuming red dates during menstruation, especially those with heavy dampness and symptoms of edema. Red dates have a sour and sweet taste, and eating them in large quantities can promote saliva secretion and cause the accumulation of dampness in the body, exacerbating the symptoms of edema. Women prone to edema should consume more foods that can promote diuresis and dampness elimination. It is recommended to start consuming red dates after the menstrual period.
2. Not suitable to consume red dates in cases of internal dryness and heat
Red dates are warm-tonifying foods. If a person has excessive internal heat, consuming red dates can aggravate the symptoms of damp heat. In addition, red dates have a high sugar content and are not suitable for diabetics as they can cause an increase in blood sugar levels.
3. Do not consume high-protein foods immediately after eating red dates
Red dates contain a large amount of vitamin C, which can cause proteins to coagulate and affect the digestion and absorption of protein in the body. It is generally recommended to wait for one to two hours after eating red dates before consuming high-protein foods. It is especially important to note that red dates should not be consumed with seafood, as excessive consumption can cause food poisoning.
