Can Malabar spinach and snails be eaten together?

Jun 10, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
It is not recommended to consume Malabar spinach (Gynura cusimbua) and river snails together, as this may cause physical discomfort. If both foods are to be consumed, it is advised to eat them separately. River snails should be thoroughly cooked to reduce potential risks and must not be eaten if undercooked. Malabar spinach should also be adequately heated to destroy any possible anti-nutritional factors. A balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits is also important for maintaining good health.

Under normal circumstances, it is not recommended to consume Malabar spinach (Basella alba) and snails together, as this may cause physical discomfort. The specific analysis is as follows:

Malabar spinach has a sweet taste and cold nature, and possesses functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, lubricating the intestines, and cooling the blood. For individuals with deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach, consuming Malabar spinach might cause imbalance in the spleen and stomach, potentially worsening symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. Snails are inherently cold in nature and may irritate the gastrointestinal tract after consumption. When consumed together with other cold-natured foods, they may easily trigger spleen and stomach cold deficiency, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and indigestion. From the perspective of food properties, cold-natured snails combined with the slippery Malabar spinach may impair digestion and easily cause indigestion. Therefore, it is not advisable to eat them together.

If both Malabar spinach and snails need to be consumed, it is recommended to eat them separately. Additionally, snails should be thoroughly cooked to reduce risks and must never be eaten when undercooked. Malabar spinach should also be sufficiently heated to destroy any potential anti-nutritional factors. Maintaining a balanced diet in daily life and consuming more fresh vegetables and fruits will better promote overall health.