A man vomited blood and fainted after eating too much bamboo shoots! Don’t let bamboo shoots turn into “spring damage”, you must pay attention to these 3 points

Recently, the news that "a man vomited blood and fainted after eating too much spring bamboo shoots" has attracted attention.

Mr. Wang from Jiangsu vomited blood and fainted after eating a large amount of picked spring bamboo shoots. A gastroscopy showed that Mr. Wang had an ulcer in his duodenum, but fortunately he was rescued in time.

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Spring is the right season for eating bamboo shoots, but eating them incorrectly can also bring health risks. Why are spring bamboo shoots delicious? What are the taboos about eating them?

Why are spring bamboo shoots so fresh?

There are two main types of spring bamboo shoots that people usually eat, namely moso bamboo shoots and thunbergia bamboo shoots, both of which are plants of the genus Phyllostachys in the Poaceae family. The reason why spring bamboo shoots taste delicious is mainly because they are rich in flavoring substances such as amino acids.

Researchers have analyzed the nutritional components of eight species of bamboo shoots. The results show that the amino acid content of the eight species of bamboo shoots is higher than that of vegetables we often eat, such as Chinese cabbage, garlic sprouts, leeks, water spinach, and coriander. In addition, the total amount of amino acids in bamboo shoots is the highest. [2]

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At the same time, spring bamboo shoots are rich in reducing sugars, which make them taste sweet and fresh.

However, this sweetness does not last long. It will decrease as the respiration intensity of the spring bamboo shoots decreases. At the same time, the content of insoluble dietary fiber in the dietary fiber will gradually increase, making the spring bamboo shoots taste increasingly rough and the sweetness reduced.

Therefore, fresh spring bamboo shoots just unearthed are the most delicious in both taste and texture.

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Why does eating bamboo shoots cause gastrointestinal bleeding?

Spring bamboo shoots are high in crude fiber and difficult to digest. Eating a large amount of them will irritate the stomach and intestines, damage the digestive tract mucosa, and some small blood vessels are easily damaged.

People with a history of gastric ulcers and gastritis have more fragile stomachs than other people. In addition, spring bamboo shoots are in season, and they cannot resist the "gluttonous worms" in their stomachs. Eating too much spring bamboo shoots can easily cause gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Around this time of year, a large number of spring vegetables are put on the market, and in the bamboo forests of the Pearl River Delta, the small bamboo shoots can no longer hold back and burst out of the ground. At this time, the spring bamboo shoots are juicy, tender and sweet, and are the most delicious gift from nature in this season.

Eat bamboo shoots healthily, pay attention to these 3 points

▶ Do not eat raw:

Make sure to blanch bamboo shoots before eating them! Although fresh bamboo shoots are crisp and tender, they cannot be eaten raw. This is because fresh spring bamboo shoots contain cyanide, cyanogenic glycosides, tannins, oxalic acid, ephedrine and other substances. Eating them raw will not only taste bitter and spicy, [4] but will also affect the absorption and utilization of minerals and increase the risk of kidney stones.

However, these ingredients are soluble in water and are not heat-resistant. Therefore, you must blanch the bamboo shoots in boiling water for 7 to 10 minutes before eating them. This can greatly reduce their content, so you can eat them with confidence. You don't have to worry about the loss of heat-sensitive vitamin C and B vitamins. The content of these nutrients in bamboo shoots is also very low, and they can be supplemented from other foods.

▶ Eat less if you have a bad stomach:

Spring bamboo shoots are high in insoluble dietary fiber and contain trypsin inhibitors, which inhibit trypsin activity and hinder protein digestion and absorption. [5] For people who already have stomach problems or indigestion, this may increase the risk of stomach discomfort.

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▶ People with allergies:

Some people may be allergic to bamboo shoots, and may experience skin and respiratory discomfort after eating them. If it is your first time eating bamboo shoots, you can try a small amount, but even if you are not allergic, don't eat too much at once.

Summary: Spring is the right time to eat bamboo shoots! To enjoy the fresh taste, you must race against time to "grab the bamboo shoots" and peel them before cooking.

Braised winter bamboo shoots in oil, pickled bamboo shoots with pork and preserved vegetables, bamboo shoots with scallion oil, spring bamboo shoots with chopped peppers, spicy and sour pickled bamboo shoots... Let’s prepare these delicacies for the spring table!

Comprehensive sources: Xinhuanet, Science Refutes Rumors, Healthy Hangzhou, etc.