In my medical career, I have often encountered various discomforts caused by patients due to their eating habits, among which "getting on fire" is a particularly common theme. Once, a middle-aged man came to my office in a hurry, his face full of anxiety. He told me that in recent days he has been feeling frequent dry mouth, constipation, and mild sore throat. During the chat, I learned that he recently started eating a lot of peanuts as a snack every day, thinking it was a healthy choice. However, it is this seemingly harmless habit that inadvertently triggers an uncomfortable reaction in the body.
Peanuts, although highly nutritious and contain healthy fats and proteins, can easily cause the body to "get on fire" if consumed in excess, especially if not properly combined with other foods. This is not only because of the nature of peanuts themselves, but also because they require more water in the body to participate in the digestion process, which is easy to increase body heat production.
Peanuts and fire: Cause and effect analysis
First, we need to understand which components in peanuts may be associated with overheating. The fatty content in peanuts is a major consideration. Excessive fat intake, especially when consumed in large quantities in a short period of time, can increase the burden on the liver and lead to increased thermogenesis in the body, which may lead to symptoms of irritation. In addition, peanuts are a high-protein food, and excessive protein intake also requires more metabolism in the body, a process that may produce additional internal heat.
However, this does not mean that we should avoid peanuts altogether. In fact, peanuts in moderate amounts can provide health benefits, such as heart health and lower bad cholesterol. It's all about balance. Consuming a small handful of peanuts per day (about 28 grams or an ounce) is generally considered safe and is unlikely to cause fire.
Finally, the way peanuts are eaten is also an important factor. The effects of raw and sautéed peanuts may be different. Raw peanuts contain more water and active enzymes and are easier to digest, while fried peanuts may be more prone to fire due to the added oils and salts added during processing.
Precaution: How to eat peanuts without fire
1. Control the amount you eat
No more than one handful (about 30 grams) of peanuts should be consumed per day. This amount is enough to provide the necessary nutrients without adding too much calories to the body.
2. Pair with light foods
When eating peanuts, you can pair them with some light foods, such as green leafy vegetables or light soups. These foods help to neutralize the oil in peanuts and reduce the heat accumulation that can be caused.
3. Drink plenty of water
Increasing water intake is an effective way to prevent and reduce fire. Make sure to eat peanuts with adequate water intake, at least 8 glasses of water a day, to help maintain water balance in the body and promote metabolism.
4. Choose how you want to cook
Avoid fried or heavily flavored peanuts, such as salt-baked peanuts. It is recommended to choose plain or lightly roasted peanuts, which can greatly reduce the risk of catching fire after eating peanuts.
5. Choose the time to eat peanuts
Avoid eating peanuts on an empty stomach, as fat intake directly stimulates the gastrointestinal tract on an empty stomach and is more likely to cause discomfort. It is recommended to eat it in moderation as a small snack after a meal to help with better digestion and absorption.
6. Have regular check-ups
Know your own physique, if you have a physique that is prone to fire, you should pay more attention to controlling the consumption of high-fat foods. When eating peanuts, appropriately reduce the intake of other high-fat foods to maintain a balanced diet.
Treatment advice: What should I do after the fire?
1. Increase your water intake
The first thing that should be considered after heating is to increase water intake. Water can help regulate body temperature, boost metabolism, and alleviate discomfort caused by dryness. It is recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and you can also drink some light teas, such as chrysanthemum tea, which has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying.
2. Adjust your diet
Temporarily reduce the intake of high-protein and high-fat foods and increase vegetables and fruits. Not only are these foods rich in water, but they are also rich in vitamins and minerals, which can help relieve symptoms of fire. For example, tomatoes, watermelons, and cucumbers are all good choices.
3. Adopt natural remedies
There are some natural remedies that can be used to relieve the symptoms of getting on fire. For example, apply canker sores with fresh aloe vera juice or take a small slice of ginger at night before going to bed to help soothe a sore throat.
4. Get some rest
Getting enough sleep is also key to reducing the symptoms of fire. The body naturally repairs and regulates its internal balance when it is at rest.
5. When to see a doctor
If symptoms persist or worsen despite the above measures, such as persistent high fever, severe sore throat or severe constipation, you should seek medical help immediately. In particular, symptoms do not improve after more than a week of self-conditioning, or severe discomfort that interferes with daily life.
By taking these measures, it is usually effective in relieving the symptoms of burning caused by eating peanuts. Remember, prevention is key, and eating and living habits is the cornerstone of maintaining good health.