What should not be eaten with jujubes?
Nov 01, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
In general, when consuming jujube (Chinese date), one should avoid taking it with certain foods and medications to prevent adverse reactions or reduced nutritional value. Foods to avoid include sea crab, animal liver, scallions, milk, and dried shrimp. Medications to avoid include vitamin K, ibuprofen, Longdan Xiegan Pills, aminophylline tablets, and cyclophosphamide tablets.
In general, when consuming jujubes (Chinese dates), it is important to avoid eating them together with certain foods and medications to prevent adverse reactions or reduced nutritional value. Foods to avoid include sea crab, animal liver, scallions, milk, and dried shrimp. Medications to avoid include vitamin K1 tablets, ibuprofen tablets, Longdan Xiegan Pills, aminophylline tablets, and cyclophosphamide tablets. The detailed explanations are as follows:
I. Foods
1. Sea Crab
Sea crab is considered a cold-natured food, while jujube is classified as a warming and tonifying food. Consuming both together may disrupt normal digestion, potentially causing diarrhea or even leading to conditions involving imbalances of heat and cold in the body.
2. Animal Liver
Animal liver contains high levels of metallic elements such as iron and copper. These metal ions can easily oxidize vitamin C in jujubes, rendering it ineffective. Therefore, jujubes should not be consumed at the same time as animal liver.
3. Scallions
Scallions contain volatile oils and spicy compounds that are irritating. Jujubes, being tonifying in nature, help nourish the spleen and stomach, benefit the heart and lungs, enrich the blood, and calm the mind. When consumed together, their effects may conflict in the body, leading to disharmony of the spleen and stomach and indigestion.
4. Milk
Vitamin C in jujubes may coagulate with the protein in milk inside the body, forming clumps that hinder the absorption of protein.
5. Dried Shrimp
Consuming dried shrimp together with jujubes may lead to food poisoning, so they should not be eaten at the same time.
II. Medications
1. Vitamin K
The vitamin C in jujubes has reducing properties and may break down vitamin K, thereby reducing its therapeutic effectiveness. Since vitamin K is primarily used for blood clotting, the vitamin C in jujubes might interfere with this process.
2. Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, inflammation, and fever. Jujubes are high in sugar; when taken with ibuprofen, they may form insoluble complexes, slowing initial drug absorption and thus affecting its efficacy.
3. Longdan Xiegan Pills
Longdan Xiegan Pills are a traditional Chinese medicine used to clear liver and gallbladder heat and eliminate dampness. Since this formula is inherently purgative and clears heat and dampness, consuming tonic foods like jujubes during treatment may counteract or impair the medication's intended effects.
4. Aminophylline Tablets
Aminophylline is a bronchodilator that relieves bronchial smooth muscle spasms, dilates coronary arteries, and increases myocardial blood supply. However, acidic substances in jujubes may affect the metabolism of aminophylline, thereby influencing its pharmacological effects.
5. Cyclophosphamide Tablets
Cyclophosphamide is an antitumor agent that destroys cancer cells but also damages normal cells. Jujubes, which have blood-tonifying properties, have opposing actions to this drug. Taking them together may cause adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting.
When consuming jujubes, it is advisable to avoid simultaneous intake of the above-mentioned foods and medications. Additionally, jujubes should be eaten in moderation to prevent discomfort from excessive consumption.
