Is beef a type of food that may trigger or exacerbate certain illnesses?

Nov 25, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, "fa wu" (发物) typically refers to foods that may trigger existing illnesses or worsen current medical conditions. Beef possesses certain stimulating or heat-inducing properties; after consumption, it may promote the rising of internal heat toxins in the body, potentially causing or exacerbating symptoms of certain diseases, such as skin conditions like boils, eczema, and urticaria, or leading to the recurrence of previous illnesses.

Generally speaking, beef is considered a "trigger food" (fawu). The detailed analysis is as follows:

In traditional Chinese medicine, trigger foods typically refer to those that may induce or exacerbate certain disease symptoms, especially foods that are stimulating, warming in nature, or prone to causing allergic reactions. Beef is relatively heaty in nature and contains abundant protein and fat. These components may produce heat-generating substances during metabolism in the human body. For individuals with sensitive constitutions or specific medical conditions, this may trigger or worsen symptoms such as heatiness, inflammation, skin itching, or boils. Therefore, beef is considered a trigger food.

When consuming beef, intake should be appropriately controlled according to individual constitution and health status, with attention also given to cooking methods and portion sizes. If discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention should be sought and treatment followed as advised by a physician.

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