Can red dates and chestnuts be eaten together?

Mar 19, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I am 22 years old this year. I heard from others that red dates (jujubes) and chestnuts are not advisable to eat together, but I have eaten them together before. I would like to ask, can red dates and chestnuts be eaten together?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yu Yongchao

Under normal circumstances, red dates and chestnuts can be eaten together, but it is important to control the intake amount. Red dates have a sweet taste and warm property, entering the spleen and stomach meridians, and possess functions such as invigorating the middle jiao, replenishing qi, nourishing blood, and calming the mind. Chestnuts have a sweet and salty taste and warm property, entering the spleen and kidney meridians, and can nourish the kidney, strengthen the tendons, invigorate the spleen, and improve stomach function. They also each have unique nutritional benefits: red dates are rich in vitamin C and minerals such as iron, while chestnuts contain abundant starch, protein, and B-complex vitamins.

There are no obvious contraindications or conflicts between red dates and chestnuts, and their nutritional components do not cause adverse chemical reactions when consumed together. Therefore, red dates and chestnuts can be eaten together. Consuming them together in appropriate amounts not only enhances the taste and flavor of food but also provides a more comprehensive supply of nutrients essential for the body, helping to strengthen immunity and resistance.

However, moderation is important, as excessive consumption may have adverse effects. Red dates have a high sugar content and should be consumed in moderation by patients with diabetes; chestnuts are high in starch and may easily cause bloating, so they should not be consumed excessively by individuals with indigestion. In daily diets, emphasizing diversity and balanced intake of ingredients and avoiding excessive consumption of any single food item can help maintain good health.