Can the black skin of a Chinese torreya nut be eaten?
The black skin of the Chinese torreya nut is generally edible and will not cause adverse effects on the body. The specific analysis is as follows:
Chinese torreya is a nut used both as food and medicine, rich in minerals, fatty acids, proteins, and other nutrients. It has high nutritional value and offers various health benefits, including invigorating qi, strengthening the spleen, expelling parasites, eliminating food stagnation, moistening the lungs, and promoting bowel movement. The black outer layer on the torreya nut is the seed coat, which aids digestion and stimulates appetite. It does not contain toxic substances and is therefore safe to eat. Moreover, the fats and dietary fiber it contains help enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and promote gastrointestinal motility after entering the intestines, thus helping prevent constipation.
Although the black skin of the Chinese torreya nut is edible, its rough surface makes it difficult to digest in the intestines. Therefore, individuals with gastric ulcers or gastric mucosal damage are advised against consuming it, as it may worsen their condition.