On the edge of the quiet town, there lives an elderly couple, Uncle Li and Grandma Wang. The years have carved deep traces on their faces, but the love and persistence of life are like a ray of sunshine in winter, warm and bright. Grandma Wang has always been suffering from anemia, pale complexion, and often feels tired. Whenever this happens, Uncle Li will magically take out red dates and brown sugar from the drawer, boil them into a bowl of hot sugar water, and bring them to Grandma Wang with hope, saying, "Drink this, and your blood will be enough." ”
Year after year, Grandma Wang's symptoms did not improve significantly. Until by chance, the town welcomed a medical doctor who returned from overseas, Dr. Zhang. In a community health lecture, Dr. Zhang's words exploded in Uncle Li's heart like spring thunder: "Although red dates and brown sugar are good, they are not a good way to directly replenish blood." ”
1. Understand the principle of blood supplementation
Blood replenishment mainly refers to increasing the quantity and quality of red blood cells in the blood, especially increasing the content of hemoglobin. This usually relies on the body's absorption and utilization of nutrients such as iron, folate, and vitamin B12.
2. The sweet trap of jujube brown sugar
Misunderstandings of blood tonic under the traditional concept
In the profound wisdom of Chinese medicine, jujube and brown sugar are revered as treasures that nourish the body and mind, and they are rich in iron, vitamins and minerals, and these natural essences are woven into a health-promoting network that is beneficial to the overall state of the body. However, we need to maintain a cautious and scientific approach when discussing in depth its specific role in addressing the pervasive health challenge of anaemia, especially iron deficiency anemia.
Jujubes, known for their sweet taste and mild medicinal properties, contain iron that is needed by the human body, but unfortunately, this part of the iron is mainly in the form of non-heme iron. Non-heme iron is significantly less bioavailable and absorbed than heme iron, which is mainly found in animal foods, meaning that the body is not very efficient at drawing iron from it. Therefore, relying solely on jujube to rapidly or significantly improve iron deficiency anemia may not achieve the desired results.
On the other hand, brown sugar, as a traditional dessert and health product, also contains a certain amount of iron, as well as the warmth and energy brought by rich carbohydrates. However, the higher sugar content in brown sugar is a double-edged sword: moderate intake may provide the body with a short-term energy supplement, but long-term excessive intake may cause health problems such as blood sugar fluctuations, weight gain, and may even indirectly affect the balanced absorption of nutrients, which is not conducive to the improvement of anemia. In addition, for people who have pre-existing abnormal glucose metabolism or need to control sugar intake, brown sugar intake needs to be more cautious.
Second, the list of foods that really nourish blood
Red meat. He cites a study from Harvard Medical School that showed that red meat (e.g., beef, lamb, pork) is one of the best sources of heme iron, a form of iron that is more easily absorbed and utilized by the body. Moderate intake of red meat has a significant effect on improving iron deficiency anemia.
After hearing this, Uncle Li decided to adjust Grandma Wang's diet and add lean meat stew twice a week, and soon after, Grandma Wang's complexion improved significantly, and her physical strength also recovered a lot.
Leafy Greens: The hidden blood tonic master
Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, are not only rich in non-heme iron, but also rich in vitamin C, which promotes iron absorption. A study by the European Society of Nutrition has shown that eating leafy greens with foods rich in vitamin C can significantly increase the bioavailability of iron.
Beans and legumes: blood messengers of the plant kingdom
Beans and soy products, such as black beans, soybeans, tofu, etc., are also rare blood tonics. Not only are they rich in plant-based protein, but they also contain amounts of iron and folic acid, which are essential for erythropoiesis. Research from the National Institutes of Health has shown that regular consumption of legumes can help maintain blood health.
Nuts and seeds: a treasure trove of trace elements
In addition, nuts and seeds, such as walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, etc., are rich in trace elements such as iron, zinc, and copper, which play an important role in the blood production process. A study by British nutritionists has found that eating nuts in moderation every day can help improve blood quality and enhance immunity.
Eggs: A little expert in full nutrition and blood supplementation
Eggs are not only a source of high-quality protein, but their yolks are also rich in iron and vitamin B12, which are essential for the formation of red blood cells. A long-term follow-up study in Australia showed that people who regularly consumed eggs had a significantly lower risk of anaemia.
In this era of information explosion, we need to maintain a rational and knowledge-seeking heart, learn to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and use scientific methods to protect the health of ourselves and our families. Although red dates and brown sugar are good, the real way to replenish blood lies in a balanced diet and reasonable matching. Let us go hand in hand and use the beacon of science to illuminate the way forward on this road of health.
I'm Dr. He, welcome everyone to like and follow, and say your views in the comment area, let's chat