On a warm spring afternoon, an experienced old Chinese medicine practitioner is under a large locust tree at the head of the village, surrounding a group of attentive villagers to tell the ancient wisdom of dietary therapy. Among them, he mentioned a fascinating topic: "Peaches raise people, apricots hurt people". Although this sentence is short, it contains hundreds of years of dietary health experience, which aroused the curiosity of everyone present. They are puzzled as to why sweet apricots are associated with harm, while peaches are given a reputation as nourishing. This is not only an old saying, but also a science, which hides the way of health that we should take seriously.
In the scientific basis behind the old saying "peaches raise people, apricots hurt people", we first have to compare the nutritional value of peaches and apricots. Peaches and apricots, both of which are very common on our dinner tables, but they each have their own emphasis on nutrients, and this difference is the deep health guidance behind the old saying.
Peaches: a treasure trove of vitamins
Peaches are not only sweet, they are also an important vitamin C and vitamin A**. Vitamin C has a non-negligible role in strengthening the immune system and preventing aging. At the same time, the abundance of vitamin A is also crucial for vision protection. In addition, peaches contain antioxidants such as folic acid and -carotene, which have positive effects on preventing cell damage and maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.
Apricot: the ** station of minerals
Apricots are also not inferior in terms of nutritional value, especially in terms of minerals. Apricots are good for potassium**, an important mineral for maintaining heart health and regulating water balance in the body. In addition, apricots also contain iron, magnesium and zinc, which are important for maintaining the immune system, bone health and promoting wound healing. Iron, in particular, is key in preventing symptoms of anemia.
Reveal the hidden crisis in the apricot
Apricot is known as a good fruit in spring, it is juicy, nutritious, rich in vitamins A, C and minerals. However, the old saying "peaches nourish people, apricots hurt people" reminds us that despite the many health benefits of apricots, they also contain potentially risky components, especially amygdalin in almonds, which can be converted into hydrocyanic acid, a potential toxin.
Although hydrocyanic acid is harmless to the human body in small doses and can be naturally decomposed through metabolism, it is difficult for the human body to decompose in time after a large amount of ingestion, which may lead to cyanide poisoning, manifested as dizziness, difficulty breathing, blood pressure drop and other symptoms. In addition, some compounds in apricots may also interfere with thyroid function, leading to metabolic abnormalities in the body.
Patients with abnormal thyroid function:Certain compounds in apricots may affect the absorption of iodine by the thyroid gland, which in turn affects thyroid hormone synthesis, and for people with a history of thyroid disease, excessive consumption of apricots may worsen the condition.
Those with sensitive gastrointestinal function:Although apricots are rich in dietary fiber, which is conducive to promoting intestinal peristalsis, for people with weak gastrointestinal function, excessive consumption of apricots may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating, abdominal pain and other symptoms.
Abnormal glucose metabolism:Apricots are high in sugar, and for diabetics or people with poor blood sugar control, excessive consumption may cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate, which is not conducive to disease control.
Infants and pregnant women: Infants and pregnant women have sensitive bodies and immature metabolic functions, and excessive consumption of apricots may adversely affect them. Especially in pregnant women, excessive intake may affect the health of the fetus.
Patients with chronic diseases:Patients with chronic diseases such as heart disease and high blood pressure should also be cautious when consuming apricots, especially foods with high sugar and sodium content may adversely affect their condition.