Can people with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold eat long beans and potatoes?
Feb 13, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency cold can consume long beans and potatoes. Long beans contain abundant nutrients such as protein and vitamins, which help enhance physical strength. Long beans have functions of resolving dampness, strengthening the spleen and stomach, invigorating qi to calm the mind, relieving summerheat, and promoting diuresis. They can assist in improving symptoms caused by spleen and stomach weakness, such as internal retention of dampness and water, reduced appetite with loose stools, body fatigue and weakness, nausea, and vomiting.
Generally speaking, individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency cold can consume long beans and potatoes. The detailed analysis is as follows:
Long beans contain abundant proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients, which help enhance physical strength. They have functions of eliminating dampness, strengthening the spleen and stomach, invigorating qi to calm the mind, relieving summerheat, and promoting diuresis. Long beans can assist in improving symptoms caused by spleen and stomach weakness, such as internal retention of dampness, reduced appetite, loose stools, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. However, long beans contain two toxic substances—protein toxins and hemolysin. If consumed raw or undercooked, they may cause poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Therefore, it is essential to ensure long beans are thoroughly cooked to prevent gastrointestinal poisoning.
Potatoes contain substantial amounts of cellulose, anthocyanins, and other nutrients, which can appropriately provide energy for the body. Potatoes have the effects of moistening the intestines to relieve constipation and strengthening the spleen to invigorate qi. Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency cold can benefit from moderate potato consumption for health maintenance. However, potatoes are high in starch, and excessive consumption may lead to abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and other symptoms.
Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency cold should consume long beans and potatoes in moderation to avoid indigestion due to excessive intake. Additionally, both long beans and potatoes should be fully cooked during preparation, especially long beans, which must not be consumed raw or undercooked.
