What foods are incompatible with wood ear fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae)?

Jan 09, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Ziqi

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, wood ear fungus (black fungus) is incompatible with certain foods such as white radish, field snails, milk, strong tea, quail, and others. Consuming white radish together with wood ear fungus may lead to goiter. The thiocyanate contained in white radish may interfere with thyroid function when combined with certain components in wood ear fungus, and long-term excessive intake may potentially cause goiter. However, the actual effects may vary among individuals.

Generally, black fungus (wood ear) has incompatible food pairings with items such as white radish, snails, milk, strong tea, quail, and others. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. White Radish

Consuming white radish together with black fungus may lead to goiter (thyroid swelling). The thiocyanate contained in white radish may interact with certain components in black fungus, potentially affecting thyroid function. Long-term excessive intake might lead to thyroid enlargement.

2. Snails

Consuming snails together with black fungus may cause poisoning. Snails contain a certain amount of protease inhibitors, and the components in black fungus may react with these substances to form hard-to-digest compounds, which in severe cases could lead to food poisoning.

3. Milk

Milk is a high-protein food, while the rich dietary fiber in black fungus may interfere with the digestion and absorption of protein when consumed together, possibly causing gastrointestinal discomfort, bloating, and other digestive issues.

4. Strong Tea

Strong tea contains tannic acid and other components that may react with minerals such as iron present in black fungus, forming compounds that are difficult for the body to absorb, thereby affecting the absorption and utilization of iron from the fungus.

5. Quail

Both black fungus and quail are considered cold-natured foods and are rich in fiber and nutrients. Consuming them together may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, potentially causing digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Although the above foods are considered incompatible with black fungus, the actual effects vary among individuals and typically only cause problems when consumed in large quantities.

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What foods are incompatible with dried shrimp?

Shrimp is nutritious, but attention should be paid to food combinations when consuming it. It is generally not advisable to eat large amounts of shrimp together with persimmons, strong tea, hawthorn, bitter gourd, or similar foods. Persimmons contain a high amount of tannic acid, while shrimp is rich in protein and calcium. Consuming large quantities of both together may cause the tannic acid to bind with protein and calcium, forming indigestible precipitates that could lead to bloating, abdominal pain, or impaired nutrient absorption. Individuals with weak gastrointestinal function should be particularly cautious.