What Are the Seven Taboos of Eating Plums
Sep 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Generally speaking, there is no such thing as the "seven prohibitions of eating plums." However, it's important to avoid consumption by unsuitable individuals, control the total amount consumed, refrain from eating with certain foods, avoid unripe fruits, and never eat rotten or spoiled ones. People with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should avoid eating plums, as their cooling nature may加重 gastrointestinal burden.
Generally speaking, there is no such thing as the "seven prohibitions of eating plums." However, it's important to avoid consumption by certain individuals, control the total amount consumed, avoid eating with high-calcium foods, refrain from consuming unripe fruit, and never eat spoiled or rotten fruit. The details are as follows:
1. Prohibited for unsuitable individuals: People with weak spleen and stomach function or cold constitution should avoid eating plums, as their cooling nature may increase gastrointestinal burden and easily cause diarrhea or abdominal pain. Diabetic patients must strictly avoid them, since the natural sugars in plums can lead to significant blood glucose fluctuations, affecting disease management.
2. Control portion size: Do not consume too many at once—generally no more than five is recommended. Excessive consumption may irritate the gastric mucosa due to high acid content, causing a burning sensation in the stomach, and may also lead to dental erosion, harming oral health.
3. Avoid combining with high-calcium foods: Plums should not be eaten together with calcium-rich foods such as milk or tofu. Tannins in plums can bind with calcium to form insoluble precipitates that are difficult to absorb, reducing calcium utilization. Long-term co-consumption may negatively affect bone health.
4. Avoid unripe fruit: Unripe plums contain large amounts of tannins and amygdalin, giving them a sour, astringent taste and strong irritancy. Eating them may irritate the mouth and digestive tract, causing discomfort, and could even trigger toxic reactions.
5. Do not eat spoiled or rotten fruit: Discard immediately if the plum skin is damaged, the flesh is soft and mushy, or there is an unpleasant odor. Bacteria and mold growing in rotten fruit produce harmful substances; ingestion may easily cause gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and vomiting.
Plums should be thoroughly washed before consumption—soak in salt water for 10 minutes first, then rinse well. If stomach pain, diarrhea, or other discomfort occurs after eating, stop consumption immediately and drink warm water appropriately. When purchasing, prioritize ripe, plump fruits with smooth skin to ensure food safety.
