What not to eat after consuming mantis shrimp

Generally, after eating mantis shrimp, one should avoid consuming foods such as onions, black chicken, pumpkin, tomatoes, and beef, as well as medications including cefadroxil capsules, penicillin V potassium tablets, aspirin tablets, vitamin C effervescent tablets, and loratadine tablets. Specific details are as follows:

I. Foods

1. Onions: Consuming mantis shrimp with onions may lead to the formation of calcium oxalate. This substance is poorly absorbed by the human body, and long-term accumulation could contribute to the development of kidney stones. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid eating mantis shrimp and onions together.

2. Black Chicken: Mantis shrimp is considered to have a cold nature in traditional dietary principles, while black chicken is believed to have warming and tonifying properties. Since their natures are opposing, consuming them together may cause physical discomfort, such as allergic reactions or abdominal pain. Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should be especially cautious.

3. Pumpkin: Eating mantis shrimp with pumpkin may trigger dysentery, an intestinal infectious disease characterized by symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain. Therefore, pumpkin should not be consumed at the same time as mantis shrimp.

4. Tomatoes: When mantis shrimp is consumed with foods rich in vitamin C (such as tomatoes), a chemical reaction may occur that produces arsenic trioxide (arsenic), a toxic substance. Although the actual amount generated is typically insufficient to cause severe poisoning, it may still pose potential harm to liver function. Hence, combining mantis shrimp with high-vitamin C foods should be avoided.

5. Beef: Mantis shrimp is already a high-protein food. Combining it with other high-protein foods like beef may increase the digestive burden on the gastrointestinal tract, potentially leading to indigestion, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.

II. Medications

1. Cefadroxil Capsules: Cefadroxil is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections. Mantis shrimp, being a seafood rich in calcium ions, may interact with this medication when consumed together, potentially affecting its efficacy.

2. Penicillin V Potassium Tablets: Minerals present in mantis shrimp—such as calcium, iron, and manganese—can bind with penicillin V potassium to form insoluble compounds, thereby impairing drug absorption. Concurrent intake may also increase the risk of allergic reactions.

3. Aspirin Tablets: While there is no clearly established direct interaction between mantis shrimp and aspirin, certain components in seafood may influence blood coagulation. Caution is advised, particularly for individuals with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulant therapy.

4. Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets: Mantis shrimp contains organic arsenic compounds. If consumed simultaneously with vitamin C effervescent tablets, a chemical reaction may occur, reducing the arsenic compounds to highly toxic arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃). These substances can cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system and brain.

5. Loratadine Tablets: Certain components in mantis shrimp may trigger allergic reactions, whereas loratadine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms. However, consuming mantis shrimp while taking antiallergic medication may interfere with the drug’s effectiveness and could potentially worsen allergic responses.

It is important to note that special populations—such as elderly individuals with allergic rhinitis or allergic dermatitis, as well as pregnant women—should exercise particular caution when consuming mantis shrimp to prevent allergic reactions or adverse health effects. Pregnant women should ensure they are not allergic to mantis shrimp and consume it in moderation to benefit from its high-quality protein, calcium, and other nutrients.