Do horse hooves promote digestion and absorption?
Jul 31, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, water chestnuts can play a certain auxiliary role in promoting digestion and absorption, but their effect is limited, and consumption should be kept moderate. Water chestnuts can be eaten raw, which better preserves their dietary fiber and results in a relatively more noticeable effect on stimulating intestinal motility. They can also be consumed after cooking, as cooked water chestnuts have a softer and stickier texture that is less irritating to the gastrointestinal tract.
Generally speaking, water chestnuts can play a certain auxiliary role in promoting digestion and absorption, but their effect is limited. It is important to consume them in moderation. A detailed analysis is as follows:
Water chestnuts are a common food ingredient, rich in dietary fiber and containing a certain amount of water. Dietary fiber helps stimulate intestinal motility, aiding in the movement and digestion of food within the intestines, while water helps soften stools and maintain intestinal moisture. Consuming water chestnuts in moderation can help improve intestinal function and promote digestion and nutrient absorption to some extent.
However, excessive consumption of water chestnuts may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract due to their high fiber content and cold nature, potentially causing discomforts such as abdominal distension and diarrhea, thereby negatively affecting normal digestion and absorption. Individuals with weak spleen and stomach function are more prone to experience discomfort from overconsumption. Therefore, it is important to control the amount consumed.
Water chestnuts can be eaten raw, which better preserves their dietary fiber and thus enhances their effect on intestinal motility. They can also be consumed after being cooked, as cooked water chestnuts have a softer and stickier texture that is less irritating to the gastrointestinal tract.
