On a sunny morning, Old Mr. Zhang, as usual, was selecting fresh vegetables in the market. He favored celery and black fungus because he heard that these two foods could lower blood pressure and cleanse the blood vessels. However, during his most recent physical examination, the doctor issued him a serious warning: “Old Mr. Zhang, at your age, you really should eat less celery and black fungus.” This left Old Mr. Zhang quite puzzled, and he couldn’t help but wonder why the doctor would advise against consuming these two vegetables that are touted as healthy.
In a routine health consultation, Dr. Li patiently explained to Old Mr. Zhang: “Although celery and black fungus are rich in nutrients, excessive consumption can pose some health risks for the elderly.” She further indicated that celery contains high levels of nitrates, which could increase the burden on the kidneys for elderly people with compromised kidney function; and black fungus has anticoagulant effects, which could increase bleeding risks for the elderly who are taking anticoagulant medications.
Grandma Wang is a typical example. She always believed in the health benefits of celery and black fungus and ate them almost every day. However, after an accidental fall, she developed persistent skin bruising. After an examination, the doctor found that her blood clotting function was abnormal, which was associated with her long-term and large consumption of black fungus. Fortunately, with timely dietary adjustments and medical treatment, Grandma Wang’s condition improved.
Celery: Although celery is rich in fiber and vitamins, it also has a relatively high nitrate content. For elderly people with declining kidney function, excessive consumption of celery may lead to an accumulation of nitrates in the body, thus adding to the kidney burden and even causing health issues.
Black fungus: Known as the “vascular scavenger,” black fungus can effectively reduce blood lipids and blood pressure. However, it also has anticoagulant effects, and for elderly people who are taking anticoagulant medications (such as warfarin), excessive consumption of black fungus may enhance the medication’s anticoagulant effect, increasing the risk of bleeding.
Elderly people who consume excessive amounts of celery and black fungus may experience the following symptoms:
- Skin bruising: Due to the anticoagulant effect of black fungus, skin may be prone to bruising or bleeding spots.
- Decline in kidney function: Long-term and large consumption of celery may increase kidney burden, manifesting as symptoms like reduced urine output and swelling in the lower limbs.
- Drug interaction: For elderly people on anticoagulant medications, consuming too much black fungus may enhance the effect of the medication, leading to an increased risk of bleeding.
For the elderly, a healthy diet is crucial. While celery and black fungus are beneficial, more is not always better. While enjoying delicious foods, we must also pay attention to the signals our bodies give us and adjust our diet in a timely manner. Remember, a balanced diet is the key to health. Diet is the source of life, and balance is the key. Elderly people pursuing a healthy diet should also pay attention to the combination and moderation of foods. While celery and black fungus have their unique nutritional values, excessive consumption can also bring health risks. Let us learn to listen to our bodies, combine foods wisely, and enjoy a healthy and joyous life in our later years.
In the pursuit of health, we must not only focus on the nutritional value of food, but also understand our own body conditions and needs. Only by doing so can we enjoy delicious food while maintaining health and vitality.
We earnestly hope that every elderly friend can create and follow a scientific and reasonable diet plan, which not only ensures adequate and balanced nutrition intake but also maintains a healthy body while enjoying gourmet food.
