Among the middle-aged and elderly people, there is a saying: "Eating ** sugar can replenish blood, but white rock sugar can't." This traditional concept is widely spread among the people, and it seems that it has become the basis for many people to choose daily sweeteners. But does this claim really hold up from the perspective of modern nutrition?
*The difference in appearance between sugar and white rock sugar is mainly due to the color difference caused by the addition of molasses during processing. In the traditional concept, ** sugar is considered to have the effect of replenishing blood because its color is similar to blood, while white rock sugar is considered to have no effect because of its pale white color. However, the process of blood replenishment is far more complex than simple color matching, involving a series of physiological activities such as iron absorption and hemoglobin synthesis in the human body.
There is a saying among the folk that ** sugar can replenish blood, while white rock sugar has no such effect. This statement is rooted in the appearance and conventional wisdom of the two types of sugar. Sugar, because of its golden color, is often considered to be more "natural" and "nutritious" than white rock sugar. However, from a scientific point of view, there is no substantial nutritional basis for this distinction.
First of all, the main components of ** sugar and white rock sugar are sucrose, and there is no difference in structure. The difference between the two is whether the trace minerals and molasses in sucrose are retained during the production process. White rock sugar is a fully refined sucrose with a transparent color, while ** sugar retains some molasses during the making process, so it has a yellow color. Molasses does contain trace amounts of minerals, such as iron and calcium, but their levels are so low that they have little or no significant effect on the body's nutritional supplementation.
Scientific studies have shown that iron supplementation is key to blood replenishment, and iron comes primarily from meat, legumes, and certain vegetables, rather than sugar. Even the trace minerals in ** sugar are far from meeting the needs of the human body. Therefore, whether it is ** sugar or white rock sugar, they have little effect as a means of blood replenishment.
Blood supplementation essentially refers to increasing the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, and the synthesis of hemoglobin relies on nutrients such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, and iron deficiency can directly lead to anemia. Therefore, iron supplementation is essential for the prevention and prevention of anemia.
In the daily diet, iron is mainly found in meat (especially red meat), soy products, green leafy vegetables, etc. At the same time, vitamin C promotes the absorption of non-heme iron (plant-based iron), so pairing it with foods rich in vitamin C, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, can be very helpful in improving iron utilization.
For the elderly, due to the possible weakening of digestion and absorption, more attention should be paid to the type and combination of foods when choosing iron**. For example, consuming iron-rich foods with vitamin C-rich foods can effectively improve iron absorption.
There is a folk saying that "eating sugar can replenish blood", but this is actually a misunderstanding. Sugars mainly provide energy and have little to do with hemoglobin synthesis。Long-term excessive intake of sugars, especially refined sugars, not only does not help to replenish blood, but may lead to health problems such as elevated blood sugar and obesity.
The primary role of sugars in the body is to provide energy, not to provide key nutrients needed to replenish blood. Excessive sugar intake will increase insulin secretion, which may lead to an increase in the burden of pancreatic islet function in the long term, which in turn may lead to problems such as abnormal glucose metabolism.
Therefore, for people who want to improve their blood health through diet, they should pay attention to the intake of nutrients such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, rather than simply increasing the intake of sugar. The right thing to do is to eat a balanced diet to ensure an adequate supply of nutrients.
The key to effective blood replenishment is a balanced intake of various nutrients, especially those that have a direct effect on blood production. This includes iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, etc. These nutrients are mainly found in red meat, fish, poultry, legumes and leafy greens.
For example, red meat is a high-quality form of iron**, especially heme iron, which is absorbed by the body much more efficiently than the non-heme iron found in plant foods. Legumes and leafy greens are good for plant-based iron**. At the same time, vitamin C can promote the absorption of non-heme iron, so eating fruits rich in vitamin C, such as citrus and strawberries, can help improve the efficiency of iron absorption.
In addition to iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 are also important nutrients. They are higher in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Therefore, ensuring a balanced intake of these elements in the daily diet is the key to effective blood replenishment.
In general, blood replenishment is not simply about increasing the intake of a particular food or nutrient, but about ensuring that the body gets all the nutrients it needs to make healthy blood cells through a scientific, balanced diet. For the elderly, due to the peculiarities of the physical condition and nutritional needs, it is advisable to develop a personalized diet plan under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian.