People with Weak Digestion Should Avoid Oysters
Caution Needed for Norovirus Infection
On September 1, Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine announced that, from the perspective of Korean medicine, oysters play a role in boosting immunity during the change of seasons, a time when people are prone to fatigue and lethargy.
Dongwoo Kim, Director of Ilsan Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine
According to Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, oysters are a food ingredient with a cool and refreshing nature and a sweet yet salty taste. In Korean medicine, they are considered suitable for people who tend to have excess body heat and facial flushing, as well as those with dry bodies and rough skin. Additionally, the strong salinity of oysters helps prevent excessive sweating and stops bodily fluids from escaping easily. Consuming oysters, which have properties that replenish bodily fluids, during the dry autumn season can help restore hydration and nutrients in the body and achieve a balance of qi and blood.
Oysters also pair well with a variety of other ingredients, creating nutritional synergy. In particular, "oyster and ginger porridge" is recommended as a nourishing dish for autumn, when immunity tends to decline. Ginger neutralizes the cold nature of oysters, preventing indigestion, and helps prevent abdominal pain caused by cold as well as diarrhea that may result from seafood toxins. When jujube is added and the dish is consumed in the form of rice porridge, the calming effect of jujube supports the nervous system and helps alleviate coughs and thirst common in autumn.
In addition, "oyster hot pot," which is made by simmering oysters with crown daisy, shiitake mushrooms, and ginseng, is also an excellent nourishing dish for autumn. Crown daisy, which promotes the circulation of qi and blood, balances the cold energy of oysters. Adding shiitake mushrooms and ginseng, both of which are good for restoring vitality, can help recover from chronic fatigue.
However, people who usually have a cold stomach and weak digestion, and who are prone to diarrhea, should be cautious, as consuming large amounts of oysters may cause digestive issues. In particular, those with a strong cold constitution and cold hands and feet should consume only small amounts. In such cases, boiling oysters with warming ingredients such as ginger, garlic, or green onions and eating them as porridge or soup, as previously mentioned, can help protect the stomach and enhance blood circulation and immune function.
Furthermore, it is important to always be mindful of norovirus infection when consuming oysters. Norovirus is a type of virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Major causes of infection include eating raw seafood and using contaminated groundwater. Since norovirus tends to be more prevalent in autumn and winter when the weather becomes milder, young children, pregnant women, and the elderly with weaker immune systems should avoid eating raw oysters during this period.
Dongwoo Kim, Director of Ilsan Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, stated, "Oysters are a nutritious ingredient that can help improve symptoms commonly experienced during seasonal changes, such as weakened immunity, persistent cough, and dry skin. However, to enjoy both the taste and health benefits of oysters, it is important to consider the appropriate timing and method of consumption according to each individual's constitution."
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