Click the blue textto follow us
Oh dear, Aunt Zhang is quite knowledgeable about health preservation, always pondering how to eat for better health. She particularly loves red dates (Hongzao) and brown sugar (Hongtang), believing that they can replenish her Qi and blood.
However, recently she has been feeling unwell, often tired and occasionally dizzy. She wondered if she was eating incorrectly.
So, Aunt Zhang hurried to the hospital for a check-up. The result showed that the doctor said: “Aunt Zhang, you have a bit of anemia.” Aunt Zhang was shocked: “What? Anemia? I eat red dates and brown sugar every day, how could I be anemic?”
The doctor smiled and told her: “Auntie, while red dates and brown sugar are nutritious, they alone cannot replenish blood. To truly nourish blood, you need a more balanced diet, including more iron-rich foods like lean meat and egg yolks. Also, vitamin C is essential for better iron absorption.”
Nourishing blood is a topic of concern for many, especially among women. However, many people still hold traditional views, believing that simply eating more red dates and brown sugar can solve the problem.
In fact, nourishing blood is not a simple matter; it involves complex mechanisms within the body and a balance of various nutrients. So, how should we choose foods to truly achieve blood nourishment?
Follow Liaoning Senior Newspaper to become a health expert01Causes and Symptoms of Anemia
Anemia is a common health issue, fundamentally caused by insufficient red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, leading to inadequate oxygen transport.
This may be due to a lack of iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid, or it may result from chronic diseases, blood loss, or other genetic factors.
Symptoms of anemia vary widely, including but not limited to fatigue, pale complexion, dizziness, palpitations, and shortness of breath. These symptoms not only affect daily life and work but may also cause long-term harm to health.
02Do Red Dates and Brown Sugar Nourish Blood?
Red dates have long been favored as a traditional blood-nourishing food. They are rich in various vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C and iron.
However, modern nutritional studies indicate that the iron in red dates is primarily non-heme iron, which has a lower absorption rate and is easily affected by other food components.
Therefore, while red dates have certain nutritional value, they are not the best blood-nourishing food.
Brown sugar is also traditionally believed to have blood-nourishing effects. It contains a relatively rich amount of trace elements and minerals, especially calcium, iron, and zinc.
However, the iron in brown sugar is similarly primarily non-heme iron, with limited absorption. Additionally, brown sugar is high in calories, and excessive consumption may lead to weight gain or other health issues. Thus, brown sugar is also not an ideal blood-nourishing food.
Of course, red dates and brown sugar are not without merit. Moderate consumption of red dates can supplement vitamin C and other nutrients, helping to boost the immune system; while brown sugar can provide energy and trace elements.
However, we should not overly rely on them for blood nourishment but should obtain various nutrients through a diversified diet.
03Foods That Truly Nourish Blood
To truly achieve blood nourishment, we need to choose foods rich in heme iron. Heme iron is primarily found in animal products, such as red meat, liver, and fish. The iron in these foods is tightly bound to hemoglobin, making it easy for the body to absorb and utilize.
In addition to animal products, some plant-based foods also contain certain amounts of iron, such as spinach, legumes, and nuts. Although the absorption rate of iron from these plant-based foods is lower, consuming them with vitamin C-rich foods can enhance iron absorption.
Vitamin B12 and folic acid are also important nutrients for maintaining normal hematopoiesis. They are primarily found in animal products, such as meat, eggs, and dairy products.
Therefore, we should focus on consuming these nutrient-rich foods in our daily diet.
Additionally, when choosing foods, we need to pay attention to food combinations and cooking methods.
For example, consuming vitamin C-rich foods like tomatoes and bell peppers with iron-rich foods can enhance iron absorption; while during cooking, we should avoid using excessive fats and salt to preserve the nutritional value of the food.
While red dates and brown sugar have certain nutritional value, they are not the best blood-nourishing foods. We should choose foods based on our physical condition and nutritional needs, avoiding blind following or believing in unscientific views.
At the same time, we must recognize that nourishing blood is a long-term process that requires consistent effort. Only by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and dietary habits can we truly have healthy blood and a vibrant body.