What foods are incompatible with crayfish?

May 24, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yu Yongchao

Introduction

Crayfish contains pentavalent arsenic. If consumed together with foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, lemons, and strawberries, vitamin C can reduce pentavalent arsenic into toxic trivalent arsenic, which may cause harm to the human body. Crayfish itself has a cold nature; if consumed together with cold-natured foods such as watermelon, pears, and cucumbers, it may intensify the cold properties, potentially causing symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain in individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold.

Generally speaking, crayfish are incompatible with foods rich in vitamin C, cold-natured foods, foods rich in tannic acid, high-protein foods, and alcoholic beverages. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Foods rich in vitamin C: Crayfish contain pentavalent arsenic. If consumed together with vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, lemons, and strawberries, vitamin C may reduce pentavalent arsenic to toxic trivalent arsenic, potentially causing harm to the human body.

2. Cold-natured foods: Crayfish themselves are cold in nature. If consumed together with other cold-natured foods such as watermelon, pears, and cucumbers, it may intensify the cold properties, possibly causing symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, especially in individuals with spleen and stomach cold deficiency.

3. Foods rich in tannic acid: Consuming crayfish together with tannic acid-rich foods such as persimmons, grapes, and hawthorns may lead to the tannic acid combining with proteins in the crayfish to form precipitates that are difficult to digest, potentially causing gastrointestinal discomfort.

4. High-protein foods: Crayfish themselves are rich in protein. Consuming them together with other high-protein foods such as eggs, milk, and tofu may increase the burden on the digestive system, leading to indigestion.

5. Alcoholic beverages: Consuming alcohol while eating crayfish may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, increase the burden on the liver, cause stomach discomfort, and even trigger gastritis or gastric ulcers.

However, these foods are not absolutely incompatible with crayfish, and individual reactions may vary. It is recommended that individuals pay attention to their own responses in daily life. If discomfort occurs after consumption, intake should be reduced or the combination avoided.

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What is the yellow substance inside a crawfish's head, and is it edible?

The hepatopancreas is the digestive organ of the crayfish, responsible for metabolism and toxin storage. It can easily accumulate heavy metals, bacteria, and other harmful substances, which may be difficult to completely remove even with high-temperature cooking. Consumption may cause adverse effects on the body. Although the gonads contain certain nutrients, they are mixed together with the hepatopancreas and are difficult to accurately distinguish, increasing the risk of inadvertently ingesting harmful substances.

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Can patients with hyperthyroidism eat crawfish?

Patients with hyperthyroidism can eat crayfish, but it is not recommended to consume them in large quantities. Although crayfish are nutritious, patients should still eat them in moderation to avoid excessive intake that may lead to indigestion or other health problems. Patients should choose light and healthy cooking methods, such as steaming or garlic-flavored preparations, and avoid cooking methods with heavy oil, excessive salt, or strong spices such as chili peppers.