What are the benefits of eating persimmons for the elderly?

　　Speaking of persimmons, most people know that they are native to China. But not everyone may know the history of persimmons. You know, persimmons have been cultivated in China for more than 3,000 years. Persimmons are already recorded in the "Erya" chapter of "The Book of Songs" written around 1100 BC, and the "Nei Ze" chapter of "Book of Rites" also lists persimmons as a precious food.

　　In the folk customs of some places in China, the custom of eating persimmons during the New Year is still maintained, which means "everything goes well".

　　Persimmons and persimmons

　　Persimmons can be divided into two categories: astringent persimmons and sweet persimmons, depending on whether the fruit can naturally remove astringency when ripe on the tree. The astringency of astringent persimmon cannot be naturally removed when it matures on the tree. It must be harvested and artificially processed to remove its astringency before it can be eaten. As for sweet persimmons, when the fruit matures on the tree, the content of soluble tannin (tannic acid), the main component causing astringency, is reduced to less than 0.5%, and it can be eaten without removing astringency. In addition, persimmons become persimmons after being peeled, dried, squeezed, and frosted. Persimmons have a sweet taste and unique flavor, making them more acceptable to most people. In particular, persimmon farmers believe that persimmons have the best flavor only when there is real frost. After the persimmon is further dried, it is called dried persimmon, and the white crystalline powder on the surface is called persimmon frost.

　　Nutritional value of persimmons

　　Persimmons and persimmons have a regulating effect on the body's blood pressure and immunity. It is worth noting that persimmons contain the essential trace element "manganese" that is rare in other fruits. It can strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis. And because persimmons contain hydroxyalanine, which can improve the liver's detoxification effect on alcohol, eating an appropriate amount of persimmons can relieve hangover after a hangover.

　　Persimmons are rich in nutrients. Each 100 grams of persimmon meat contains 1046 kilojoules of calories, 1.8 grams of protein, 0.2 grams of fat, 2.6 grams of dietary fiber, 60.2 grams of carbohydrates, as well as carotene, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, vitamin E, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, phosphorus, selenium and other substances. The persimmon frost on persimmons contains mannitol, Grape Sugar, fructose and other ingredients.

　　Persimmon is a semi-moist dried fruit. Regular consumption can help digestion, strengthen bones, and regulate the intestines.

　　Medical uses of persimmons

　　"Compendium of Materia Medica" records: "Persimmon is the fruit of the spleen, lungs, and blood. Its taste is sweet and qi is calm, and its nature is astringent and can be absorbed, so it has the effect of strengthening the spleen and astringing the intestines, treating coughs and stopping bleeding." Traditional Chinese medicine believes that persimmon is sweet, cold, non-toxic, and has the effects of moistening the lungs, relieving coughs, resolving phlegm, and astringent the intestines. Used for sore throat, high blood pressure, cough Excessive phlegm, dry mouth and vomiting blood, bleeding hemorrhoids, tuberculosis and cough that does not heal over time, diarrhea Dysentery, alcohol poisoning, etc. Stewing chicken soup with dried persimmons (i.e. persimmon chicken) and adding Chinese medicinal materials is very effective in treating asthma. The persimmon frost on the surface of persimmon cakes and dried persimmons is regarded as a precious medicinal material. Its nature and taste are sweet and can be used to relieve cough and reduce phlegm, clear away heat, moisturize dryness, and treat cough due to lung heat.

　　Examples of dietary therapy

　　The following is a brief introduction to the dietary therapy methods of persimmon for your reference.

　　Persimmon Porridge: Remove the stems of 2-3 persimmons and cut them into small pieces. Add 100 grams of rice and cook together with the porridge. Season with rock sugar or white sugar before eating. It has the effect of strengthening the spleen, moistening the lungs, astringing the intestines and stopping bleeding. It is suitable for hemoptysis due to physical weakness, dry cough, bloody stool, bloody urine, hemorrhoids and other hemorrhages. However, elderly people with stomach cold should not take it. ； Avoid eating with crabs.

　　Steamed persimmons with rock sugar: 3 persimmons (stem removed), add appropriate amount of water and rock sugar, steam until the persimmons are soft and then eat. It has the functions of moistening the lungs, resolving phlegm and stopping bleeding. Suitable for high blood pressure, bleeding hemorrhoids, chronic bronchitis, dry cough, sore throat and other symptoms.

　　Sichuan clam persimmon: 2 persimmons and 9 grams of minced Sichuan clam. First remove the core of the persimmons, add the minced Sichuan clam, steam them over water, and take it all at once to treat dry cough or persistent cough.

　　Things to note when eating persimmons

　　It should be noted that spleen and stomach deficiency and cold, constipate , those with cold cough and cold phlegm and those who are frail and sick, anemia、Postpartum It is not advisable to eat persimmons if you are sick, are suffering from exogenous wind-cold and other diseases. In addition, persimmons should not be eaten together with crabs.

　　It is also important to note that persimmons contain a large amount of persimmon phenol, soluble astringent, colloid, and pectin, especially immature persimmons. After eating persimmons, the above ingredients will condense into a sticky substance that is difficult to dissolve when in contact with gastric acid, and then condense with undigested plant fibers to form hard lumps, namely fecal stones, which is called gastric persimmon stone syndrome. Small gastric persimmon stones can be excreted with the feces, while large ones may cause diseases, causing symptoms such as epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. In patients with gastric ulcers, they may also induce gastric bleeding or gastric perforation. The concentration of gastric acid secreted in the stomach is high during fasting. If you eat persimmons at this time, you will easily suffer from gastric persimmon stone disease. Therefore, we would like to remind everyone that persimmons should not be eaten on an empty stomach. Drinking white wine, hot water or vegetable soup after eating persimmons can also easily cause this disease, so do not be careful.