It grows on damp and decaying tree trunks, with a dark brown color and a soft texture. When wet, it is semi-transparent, and when dried, it becomes crispy and hard. That's wood ear, a common ingredient on our dining table. It can be served cold, stir-fried, or added to soups, and it has amazing nutritional value and benefits. Today, we will introduce in detail the benefits of eating wood ear regularly.
1. Blood Tonic
Wood ear is known as the "king of vegetarian dishes," indicating its rich nutritional content. It contains an astonishing amount of iron, with an iron content twenty times higher than spinach and seven times higher than pig liver per 100 grams. It is an excellent blood tonic. For patients with anemia, hemoptysis, hemorrhoids, and other diseases, eating wood ear regularly has numerous benefits and no harm.
2. Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Research has shown that wood ear has certain effects in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. It is helpful in preventing cardiovascular diseases. Wood ear contains rich amounts of vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, and other trace elements, which have the function of promoting blood circulation and preventing blood clotting. Therefore, middle-aged and elderly people should eat it regularly.
3. Cleanse the Intestines and Stomach
Wood ear contains a high amount of dietary fiber and plant collagen, which can promote intestinal peristalsis and help with digestion and absorption of food. Plant collagen has strong adsorption properties, which can help the body eliminate foreign substances accidentally entering the digestive tract, thus cleaning the intestines. In addition, wood ear can dissolve endogenous stones for patients with calculi. Therefore, it is essential to eat it regularly.
4. Prevent Colon Cancer
With changes in dietary habits, the incidence of colon cancer is increasing. Eating wood ear can not only cleanse the intestines in a timely manner and reduce the time harmful substances stay in the body, but it also contains anti-tumor substances. It can enhance the body's immune system, maintain the balance of intestinal flora, and prevent colon cancer.
5. Promote Hair Growth
In the synthesis of our hair, trace elements iron and copper play an important role, and wood ear contains both of these nutrients. Therefore, eating wood ear regularly can effectively promote hair growth and prevent hair loss, dryness, and graying.
After understanding these benefits, many people can't resist the urge to supplement with wood ear. However, there are also some considerations when eating wood ear.
Firstly, the soaking time of wood ear should not be too long. Prolonged soaking can lead to bacterial and fungal contamination, as well as toxin production. Especially in hot weather, the soaking time should be shortened as much as possible. Once there is a foul smell or rotting, it should not be consumed.
Secondly, wood ear should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. The polysaccharides in wood ear can only increase their solubility and be better absorbed by the body after high-temperature cooking. This allows them to exhibit their anticoagulant and blood circulation-promoting effects.
It can be seen that although wood ear has rich and diverse nutritional benefits, its effects can only be fully realized by mastering the correct method of consumption.
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